Philip J. Imbrogno withdrawing from paranormal research!

[Jeff Crowell]

I had no idea this sort of thing was so available. You can get diplomas, transcripts, the whole nine yards.

PhonyDiploma.com

This site's really pretty sick. People faking who they are is very low, and what gets me is you can have an "account" on the website, and sign on. Who needs an account so they have that many fake diplomas/certifications?? Ugh!

 

[Ron Collins]

Ok Folks, one of the claims was a BS (actually the host of the podcast said just "bachelors" in "Earth Science" from Boston College. Well, I called the registrar at Boston College and they referred me to the "National Student Clearinghouse" (National Student Clearinghouse: Degree verification & enrollment verification) in order to obtain that information. I went there and paid $6.50 to do a search. Here is the result.



So to be 100% sure I need an accurate birth date. I don't have that. If anyone does, let me know.

 

[Lauren Jones]

Gene/Chris,

Did Lance ask you to keep the Imbrogno revelation private?

 

[Gene Steinberg]

Originally, yes, and we did. But we have since independently verified what he learned.

 

[Hotkafka]

Ok Folks, one of the claims was a BS (actually the host of the podcast said just "bachelors" in "Earth Science" from Boston College. Well, I called the registrar at Boston College and they referred me to the "National Student Clearinghouse" (National Student Clearinghouse: Degree verification & enrollment verification) in order to obtain that information. I went there and paid $6.50 to do a search. Here is the result.



So to be 100% sure I need an accurate birth date. I don't have that. If anyone does, let me know.

Hmm. Somebody may want to inform the Windward School in White Plains NY of this breaking news. They apparently hired him under the pretense he had a degree in Earth Science (teaching children with language-based developmental disorders at that).

Not to mention Joe McCarthy Observatory and Bowman Observatory....

Windward School

 

[Kieran]

Hmm. Somebody may want to inform the Windward School in White Plains NY of this breaking news. They apparently hired him under the pretense he had a degree in Earth Science (teaching children with language-based developmental disorders at that).

Not to mention Joe McCarthy Observatory and Bowman Observatory....

Windward School

I know lot of us are infuriated and outraged that Phil got away with it for long as he has, but should we go so far, as to wreck everything in his life?

 

[Hotkafka]

I know lot of us are infuriated and outraged that Phil got away with it for long as he has, but should we go so far, as to wreck everything in his life?

I find the language in this response curious: "...but should WE go so far as to..." Personally, I don't think WE have done anything to ruin this guy's life. Phil appears to have done this entirely on his own. What is happening now seems a natural consequence of perpetrating a hoax of such magnitude. Once the information is out, if these organizations find value in Phil's work, they will come to some understanding or solution.

 

[Kieran]

I find the language in this response curious: "...but should WE go so far as to..." Personally, I don't think WE have done anything to ruin this guy's life. Phil appears to have done this entirely on his own. .

You've confused me!

Hmm. Somebody may want to inform the Windward School in White Plains NY of this breaking news.

Maybe you should have understood what you wrote first before you posted it?

 

[Hotkafka]

You've confused me!

Hmm. Somebody may want to inform the Windward School in White Plains NY of this breaking news.

Maybe you should have understood what you wrote first before you posted it?

Umm, is it me or are you entirely missing the point here. No matter what action WE take as a collective to bring this situation into the light, WE are not responsible for engaging in a 30 some on year career in the "field" under false academic credentials. Anyone whom is oblivious enough to think that this sort of behavior will not have consequences is surely deluded. If you prefer to think we are responsible for his demise by informing others of his charade, well, carry on as a quiet enabler of this sort of behavior.

 

[Kieran]

Umm, is it me or are you entirely missing the point here. No matter what action WE take as a collective to bring this situation into the light, WE are not responsible for engaging in a 30 some on year career in the "field" under false academic credentials. Anyone whom is oblivious enough to think that this sort of behavior will not have consequences is surely deluded. If you prefer to think we are responsible for his demise by informing others of his charade, well, carry on as a quiet enabler of this sort of behavior.

Not missing any point. You have developed some thoughts of your own here that were never mine. I do not excuse his lying point it out to me in my posting were I excused his behaviour. My point was should We (somebody on this forum or elsewhere) go so far as to wreck his personal life family life and work life- I'm a bit uncomfortable with people going that far to ruin someone, but if someone does go that far eventually the fault does rest with Philip.

 

[trainedobserver]

I guess the question is, "In the process of checking professional references, are you morally obligated to inform the institutions of any contradictory findings?"

Also, the responsibility for the consequences of falsifying professional credentials lie solely with the person providing them, not the persons to whom they were presented. Certainly, there is nothing complicated about that.

From a history of Ufology kind of perspective, I am really interested in Mr. Imbrogno's association with J Allen Hynek and how much of that is fiction.

 

[Jeff Crowell]

I agree that Phil brought this on himself, and I sincerely believe that he should come forward and address the issue, even if it's an apology (what more can we expect), and a self-imposed exile from UFO/paranormal research, which it sounds like he's already done. This would give a little closure to the UFO and paranormal circle, I think.

Unfortunately it's quite possible that the revealing of Phil's fraud regarding MIT may have triggered a response by MIT itself. In other words they may be in the process of revealing Phils indiscretion themselves, in which case we, here, at the Paracast, don't need to do anything else. I have a sinking suspicion that this revealing set in motion a chain of events in Mr. Imbrogno's life that are well under way already, and these events will most-likely include legal ramifications for him. It is unfortunate, but there is the argument of, "He brought it upon himself" that is still quite valid.

 

[Hotkafka]

I guess the question is, "In the process of checking professional references, are you morally obligated to inform the institutions of any contradictory findings?"

Also, the responsibility for the consequences of falsifying professional credentials lie solely with the person providing them, not the persons to whom they were presented. Certainly, there is nothing complicated about that.

From a history of Ufology kind of perspective, I am really interested in Mr. Imbrogno's association with J Allen Hynek and how much of that is fiction.

Hand raises from the back of the room. Me too!

 

[Ron Collins]

I agree that Phil brought this on himself, and I sincerely believe that he should come forward and address the issue, even if it's an apology (what more can we expect), and a self-imposed exile from UFO/paranormal research, which it sounds like he's already done. This would give a little closure to the UFO and paranormal circle, I think.

Unfortunately it's quite possible that the revealing of Phil's fraud regarding MIT may have triggered a response by MIT itself. In other words they may be in the process of revealing Phils indiscretion themselves, in which case we, here, at the Paracast, don't need to do anything else. I have a sinking suspicion that this revealing set in motion a chain of events in Mr. Imbrogno's life that are well under way already, and these events will most-likely include legal ramifications for him. It is unfortunate, but there is the argument of, "He brought it upon himself" that is still quite valid.

As I understand it, the Universities only provide verification services. I do not think they have any mechanism to hunt down and alert employers of the potential fraudulent credentials. That should be the job of the employer. As an employer myself, i can tell you that I have not always checked the credentials of an employee. If that employee has good interview skills, a great resume, the references check out, and the previous employer was recognizable and reputable then it is much easier to hire and not spend the time and effort involved in further due diligence. The assumption is that this persons underlying credentials had been vetted long ago. What you are really hiring for is a person that has specific experience and can jell with your other employees. I can easily see that this could have been the case. 30 odd years ago the verification process was probably much more difficult and the need to verify was probably a lot less understood.

The entire situation really irritates me. Beyond what I can convey. I really want to project so much of my frustration with the quality of researchers and the rampant bullshit throughout the field onto this guy. I do probably need to relax a bit about it. However, I still think he should be exposed as a fraud. I currently have verification that 3 of the 4 credentials he himself listed/agreed to when read to him are false. The University of Texas Astronomy credential is probably also false. I know he didn't graduate from their after 1977. Still checking on before then. The observatories he always touted are nothing more that small high school ones that are volunteer run. They sound neat and I'll bet he chose them to bolster that Astronomy credential claim. I think I am going to collect all the documentation I can and then reassess my next step.

Oh and I hear through the grapevine that the paratopia guys have talked to him and he claims that he has a "Sealed Degree" from MIT and thats why it can't be verified. I spoke to a very nice lady at the Boston College registrars office and asked her if she had ever heard of a sealed degree. She chuckled and said that she had no idea what that was.

One more thing. If he has any of these degrees all he has to do is produce them. Thats it. produce the degree and then we can send it to the University to confirm its authenticity. If he did that and it turned out to authentic I would be the first guy in line offering a heartfelt apology and offering to do anything I could to help him clear his name. But I doubt that this will happen.

 

[tyder001]

Ron you are a good guy but, yes I think you may be a little to worked up. Did he do something to you personally? No, I don't mean as a whole and I'm not being a smart ass. I just mean that you seem to be taking this a little more personally than most objective folks would. But, again I could be wrong. The point that I "think" Kieran is making and I agree with is this. Yes, he is a fraud and yes he is responsible. But, I am not going to go out "myself" and take food and shelter from his families mouth by my own sense of self rightous crusading. The gig is up and the facts are out there. So, I am not getting into it.

Oh wait! Let me check my own closet and if there is nothing "untoward" in there then I will go ahead and hang the s.o.b. meself! Hmmm, let's see there's 1976....errrr 1985....Uh oh did I do that in 1992? Wait I forgot all about 1982...2000? That recent? Errrr, nevermind! My own closet it to damn full. I'm out!

 

[Ron Collins]

Ron you are a good guy but, yes I think you may be a little to worked up. Did he do something to you personally? No, I don't mean as a whole and I'm not being a smart ass. I just mean that you seem to be taking this a little more personally than most objective folks would. But, again I could be wrong. The point that I "think" Kieran is making and I agree with is this. Yes, he is a fraud and yes he is responsible. But, I am not going to go out "myself" and take food and shelter from his families mouth by my own sense of self rightous crusading. The gig is up and the facts are out there. So, I am not getting into it.

Oh wait! Let me check my own closet and if there is nothing "untoward" in there then I will go ahead and hang the s.o.b. meself! Hmmm, let's see there's 1976....errrr 1985....Uh oh did I do that in 1992? Wait I forgot all about 1982...2000? That recent? Errrr, nevermind! My own closet it to damn full. I'm out!

To my knowledge, you aren't using false credentials to sell books, appearances, and generally trying to represent a field of study. This guy has been on Oprah talking about ufology. He has at least 6 books he has written. He has been asked to speak at many conferences all of which list his fake credentials to help bolster ticket sales. Do you get my point?

Has he done something to me personally, not in the sense that he slapped my wife or knocked my kid down but certainly he is a major reason why I cant talk to anyone about these subjects without getting that "are you f@#$ing serious" smirk. So it does hit home with me. It does weigh on me. Probably more than some of the forum participants and probably less than others. That said, I gotta give Lance serious credit. He sat on this for months and probably would still prefer it be held in confidence. It was enough for him that Imbrogno left the field. But Lance and I would suspect you as well Tyder do not feel the sting of what this kind of fraud represents. Before anyone ever hears my opinions of thoughts on the subject I am judged because of my interest. i am judged in large part because the field carries little or no respect. This is a huge part of why it enjoys such little respect. I hope that explains it.

 

[Jeff Crowell]

Faking credentials in ANY field should be one of the most heinous crimes, and yes, in a field like the paranormal credibility and public image are 100% harder to maintain just because of the subject. Are you taking it too personally Ron? Perhaps, but we'll let you do your research , and I invite you to share whatever you find. I, for one, very much appreciate you looking into it, as I appreciate Lance for what he did to break the story.

It sucks. I sort of liked Phil but in the end the rule of thumb is if you're in the position to do so, always check credentials, and if you're on the other side of the fence, never lie about your credentials. End of lesson.

 

[trainedobserver]

Great post Ron. You've expressed much of my frustration with this as well.

Obviously, this is a great chance for anyone interested in the subject of the paranormal and UFOs to take a sober look at their attitudes and approach to it and the researchers, writers, and speakers addressing those subjects. The need for healthy skepticism and critical thinking only seems doubly underscored by this development.

 

[tyder001]

Point taken Ron. I still don't want to interfere in his life. However, you are correct I have not sold books or faked degrees or lied about my ability to do a job. Still, in the long run how much does it matter if you have a degree when looking at ufo's? Now if he got a job (and it appears he did) by a false degree then that is one thing. But, in the end I still agree with Kieran and don't think I will get into it. As for the "sting" of things? Well, I have felt the "sting" of saying I believe in God when the televangilst are stealing money. I have felt the sting when I said "I have a past life memory" when both church people and agnostics/atheist have taken me to task. It's just life. Most people I know just don't care about ufo's. I can't understand a human not having an interest or a curiosity about the paranormal. But, I know many that just don't want to even think about it. Still, I do see where you are coming from. I just think your anger at the situation is a little larger than the actual personal damage to you. But, I'll hush and just step over here. I'm sure nobody here can do the damage to Mr. I that he 's already done to himself by his trail of deception. Happy hunting Y'all!

 

[trainedobserver]

Still, in the long run how much does it matter if you have a degree when looking at ufo's?

Of course that isn't even remotely the point here. The point is Imbrogno's trustworthiness or the lack there of.

If UFOs and the Paranormal are nothing more than a carnival sideshow, then it can be assumed that Professor Marvel the barker isn't a real professor and no accountability is needed. However, if UFOs and the paranormal are to be considered something more than that, it requires something more than a dubious guy in a university T-shirt with a spooky story.