Related links
-
Fake Diplomas: What Do You Think?
What do you think about our story into a defense contractor who purchased a bogus degree?
Huntsville, AL -
All across Alabama, students are celebrating the satisfaction of graduating from college and that they've got their diploma in hand.
For most people, it's not easy to get a bachelors, masters or doctoral degree. It takes years of studying,, tens of thousands of dollars in student loans and endless stress from exams.
What does that diploma get you? The potential for a better profession, higher pay, pride and prestige.
WHNT NEWS 19 has exposed how people in high positions in the military and missile defense have purchased their degree without spending all the time, energy and money that you did.
Chief Investigative Reporter Wendy Halloran has revealed how some people tried to take a shortcut, paying a fraction of what it costs to go to school, and purchasing counterfeit credentials.
In Part 3 of this WHNT NEWS 19 Taking Action investigation we put a man who works for a defense contractor under the microscope.
Jim Samuelson is the Director of Contracts, Proposals and Pricing for ADT (Applied Data Trends).
His job is to get his company awarded contracts with the Department of Defense. He has security clearance on Redstone Arsenal, access to classified information about the software his company makes for the Warfighter and he claims to be an International Traffic in Arms Regulations Empowered Official.
He also teaches continuing education courses in government contracting at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Wendy Halloran confronted Samuelson and asked him what university he got his bachelor's in business administration and his master's in business from.
"I really got to go. Please?" replied Samuelson. Halloran then asked, "Does your employer know where it's from?" "Yes, ma'am they do," he said. "And, what university is that sir?" "Please turn that off, turn it off," Samuelson said.
Many people aspire to achieve an MBA. But, Samuelson took a shortcut by buying one from Saint Regis University, a diploma mill. There were no classes and no course work. All it took was cash.
"When I did it, I was requested to fill out enormous amounts of paperwork to justify experience," claimed Samuelson.
The Saint Regis buyer's list we obtained shows he paid $2,917 for the two higher education degrees. Saint Regis University concocted credentials that looked legitimate, but aren't worth the paper they're printed on.
Halloran asked him if he turned the degrees over to get his job at ADT. Samuelson replied, "No ma'am. I did not."
Samuelson's profile on the social networking site, Facebook, provided a wealth of information about his background. He proudly posted details about his decade in the United States Marine Corps, several tours of duty including assignments in Vietnam. He listed his more than 20 years of work experience and his own government consulting business. And, he showcased his higher ed degrees - a bachelor's supposedly earned in 2002 and a master's two years later.
He posted much detail, but had one glaring omission.
Halloran stated, "Your resume currently lists Regis University." "Then I must have had something messed up," replied Samuelson.
The posting on his Facebook profile indicates his degrees are from Regis University, a legitimate University in Denver, Colorado.
Halloran asked, "Did you drop the 'Saint' on there? Because Regis University has no record of you, sir." Samuelson sighed deeply.
For most people, it's not easy to get a bachelors, masters or doctoral degree. It takes years of studying,, tens of thousands of dollars in student loans and endless stress from exams.
What does that diploma get you? The potential for a better profession, higher pay, pride and prestige.
WHNT NEWS 19 has exposed how people in high positions in the military and missile defense have purchased their degree without spending all the time, energy and money that you did.
Chief Investigative Reporter Wendy Halloran has revealed how some people tried to take a shortcut, paying a fraction of what it costs to go to school, and purchasing counterfeit credentials.
In Part 3 of this WHNT NEWS 19 Taking Action investigation we put a man who works for a defense contractor under the microscope.
Jim Samuelson is the Director of Contracts, Proposals and Pricing for ADT (Applied Data Trends).
His job is to get his company awarded contracts with the Department of Defense. He has security clearance on Redstone Arsenal, access to classified information about the software his company makes for the Warfighter and he claims to be an International Traffic in Arms Regulations Empowered Official.
He also teaches continuing education courses in government contracting at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Wendy Halloran confronted Samuelson and asked him what university he got his bachelor's in business administration and his master's in business from.
"I really got to go. Please?" replied Samuelson. Halloran then asked, "Does your employer know where it's from?" "Yes, ma'am they do," he said. "And, what university is that sir?" "Please turn that off, turn it off," Samuelson said.
Many people aspire to achieve an MBA. But, Samuelson took a shortcut by buying one from Saint Regis University, a diploma mill. There were no classes and no course work. All it took was cash.
"When I did it, I was requested to fill out enormous amounts of paperwork to justify experience," claimed Samuelson.
The Saint Regis buyer's list we obtained shows he paid $2,917 for the two higher education degrees. Saint Regis University concocted credentials that looked legitimate, but aren't worth the paper they're printed on.
Halloran asked him if he turned the degrees over to get his job at ADT. Samuelson replied, "No ma'am. I did not."
Samuelson's profile on the social networking site, Facebook, provided a wealth of information about his background. He proudly posted details about his decade in the United States Marine Corps, several tours of duty including assignments in Vietnam. He listed his more than 20 years of work experience and his own government consulting business. And, he showcased his higher ed degrees - a bachelor's supposedly earned in 2002 and a master's two years later.
He posted much detail, but had one glaring omission.
Halloran stated, "Your resume currently lists Regis University." "Then I must have had something messed up," replied Samuelson.
The posting on his Facebook profile indicates his degrees are from Regis University, a legitimate University in Denver, Colorado.
Halloran asked, "Did you drop the 'Saint' on there? Because Regis University has no record of you, sir." Samuelson sighed deeply.
"A man serves his country for a decade, and WHNT makes it their goal to humiliate him?" I'd rather not hire liar wannabes on defense contracts. Disgusted by fakers who threaten our security.
diplomamillnews @ 10:48 AM CDT, Jul 18, 2009
Gov't defense contracts require a min education of a bachelor's degree. You don't lie about anything on a defense contract and expect to get away with it. Lied about the degree, what else is he lying about? Defending us? Our troops?
diplomamillnews @ 10:45 AM CDT, Jul 18, 2009
As a contracts professional, Samuelson is exepected to adhere to a strick code of ethics. He violated that code and should not be teaching or working in a career that is entrusted with ensuring that companies and the Government play by the rules.
D @ 9:20 AM CDT, May 20, 2009
more comments