So, this is an old story. I happened to see a WaPo post when looking for info on the fake electors plot. Here is the first article: https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2016/05/10/marion-teen-gets-jail-for/30438666007/ Here's the follow up where he goes to jail for violating his bond conditions, leaving the state after being denied permission: https://www.wtol.com/amp/article/news/18-year-old-senator-impersonator-in-jail-for-violating-court-order/512-dfb50b54-94ff-4733-baac-d7dbc32dd4de Here's the follow follow up where he is sentenced to 90 days in jail: https://www.wtol.com/article/news/18-year-old-senate-impersonator-sentenced-to-90-days-in-jail/512-3611ce22-9f57-4741-9bc1-35c136b4e97c He serves 30 days plus time served. It's fascinating to me what drives people to impersonate. Whether it's stolen valor, inflated resume claims, police impersonation, etc.
An author, writing about him, asked Ferdinand Waldo Demara, aka the Great Impostor, that question. His reply: "Rascality, pure rascality." Well, that's Demara's take. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Waldo_Demara I think there are multiple reasons. Some love and crave the adulation, admiration etc. that they get in their assumed role. Others "always wanted to" be a doctor, pilot, senator, armed forces officer etc. Acting the role is as close as they will get, so... that's what they do. Some just want attention. If they're convincing in their roles, they get positive attention. Great. If they're unmasked, they get negative attention, which can result in jail time. They'll gladly take negative attention, because it's way better (to them) than NO attention. That's the ONE thing they can't stand. Ah, yes - my 20+ years of posing as a Psych. Professor at three Ontario Universities taught me a lot of things about such people...
How can people be deceived so easily? I mean, 18 year old don't look that mature to get away with things... Couldn't people actually verify things beforehand?
Barry Bremen. Ultimate sports nut! From Barry Bremen's wiki: "He is known to be the biological donor father of at least 40 children." Wow! First, I know how they're done, but I didn't know sperm donations were considered a sport! Only by Mr. Bremen, possibly. Second, that's enough kids for maybe three teams! Perhaps he wants to father "A League of His Own." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Bremen
Surprise! State Senator minimum age is 18 in Ohio (and some other States - e.g. Connecticut) I looked it up. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_candidacy_laws_in_the_United_States#:~:text=United States Representative:,of the United States Constitution I'm thinking this was perhaps a "surprise visit." No prior notice so nobody had a chance to verify in advance. A phone call could have made things very interesting. Why it took WEEKS to find he was a fake -- that's on the school officials, 100%. I don't think this guy had any dangerous intent, but regardless, school officials everywhere have a duty to protect the children in their charge. I think they failed utterly in that duty, here. Good thing the consequences for students weren't severe. There should be some consequences for the officials - reprimand, compulsory training etc.