176:. CCI said the credentials were equal to those from a regionally accredited U.S. university. The officials now suspect that CCI was not giving independent evaluations, according to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission executive secretary, F.D. Toth. Toth said the commission received letters from CCI for 11 of the 12 educators, stating that their Saint Regis degrees met the same rigor and content standards as do those from regionally accredited U.S. colleges and universities, which is the standard for Georgia's recognition of degrees.
259:
count of "Violation of the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act" on March 20, 2006. In his plea agreement, Novak said he had paid Liberian officials $ 44,000 in return for allowing the operation to claim accreditation in Liberia. Pearson pleaded guilty on October 10, 2006 to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of receipt of child pornography.
231:
infringement lawsuit against St. Regis on
December 6, 2004. This action, case no. CV-04-462-RHW, was publicly filed in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Washington State. Most St. Regis academic material was transferred to the James Monroe University site after the lawsuit was filed.
188:
CCI is currently operating under the name "The Degree People". Calls to the ministry of education of
Liberia resulted in callers being told that SRU was accredited. Later it was learned that the accreditation was part of a bribery scheme but no one in Liberia appeared to be punished. CCI withdrew all
179:
CCI is part of
National Success Marketing Inc., based in Sunrise, Florida, and owned by Sheila Danzig and William H. Danzig. Sheila Danzig described a relationship with Saint Regis that throws into question the company's objectivity as an evaluator of credentials. She said her company receives a fee,
376:
army. "The Secret
Service even added to Syed's application that he needed a degree quickly, so he could find employment and obtain an H-1B visa, allowing him to stay in the US." Furthermore, "In less than a month, the imaginary Syrian army expert was notified James Monroe University was awarding him
297:
announced that it had obtained a list of 9,600 names of people who had inquired into or purchased degrees from the diploma mill. Two-hundred ninety-four of the names were of people living in the
Virginia, Maryland, or District of Columbia area with 20 of them appearing to be military members and 10
258:
Carlson pleaded guilty to one Class D felony count of "Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud" on March 7, 2006. Novak pleaded guilty to one Class D felony count of "Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud and to
Violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act" and a second Class D felony
244:
In
October 2005 the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington announced the indictments of eight alleged operators of St. Regis. Charged with violations of Title 18 of the United States Code were Dixie Randock, Steven Randock Sr., Blake Carlson, Richard Novak, Heidi Lorhan, Amy Hensley,
171:
were found using degrees from this institution to increase their salaries. In July 2004, the
Georgia Professional Standards Commission revoked the licenses of all 11 teachers. When it was discovered St. Regis University was a diploma mill, six teachers resigned. Georgia officials accepted those
126:
Dixie E. and
Stephen K. Randock Sr. were indicted in October 2005 on charges of conspiring to commit fraud and laundering nearly $ 2 million in diploma mill receipts from 2002 to 2005. Dixie E. Randock, Steven K. Randock, Heidi Kae Lorhan, and Blake Carlson entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to
102:
noted that prosecutors discovered the university formed part of an elaborate online scam masterminded by a former estate agent called "Dixie". Furthermore, "Dixie Ellen Randock, her husband, Steven Karl Randock Sr, and six alleged accomplices were indicted after a
211:
posted the message "URGENT DISCLAIMER ON THE ILLEGAL ESTABLISHMENT AND RECOGNITION OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA" declaring "null and void whatever documents St. Regis University may claim to possess emanating from the Commission ."
122:
to people in more than 130 countries. In addition to Saint Regis, the ring operated under the names of Ameritech University, Pan America University, James Monroe University, James Monroe High School, All Saints American University, and New Manhattan University.
130:
In July 2008 Dixie Randock was sentenced to three years in prison. Her daughter was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, and Randock's husband was scheduled to be sentenced August 5, 2008. Others involved were to be sentenced later in 2008.
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and was accredited by the Liberian Government. It was to be closed until the issues involving its accreditation by the Liberian government were resolved. However, it was later revealed to be run by the same operators as Saint Regis University.
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reported that "at least 135 federal employees" held bogus degrees from the Saint Regis operation. This included a White House staffer, a State Department employee in Kuwait, and a Department of Justice employee in
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reported that employees of the federal government in the United States had received diplomas from St. Regis and its affiliates. Though they have not been identified by name, the employees reportedly included a
527:
372:"bought their own degree for a perfect terrorist candidate, although theirs was fictional." The person was "Mohammed Syed", who had no formal education, but chemical training and chemical engineering with the
192:
The operators "falsely asserted" Liberian and Indian government approval and actually operated "mainly from State of Washington but may have operations elsewhere". The Oregon office notes the linkages between
253:. According to prosecutors, four computers seized from Pearson's home in association with the diploma mill investigation were found to contain more than 10,000 sexually explicit images of children.
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can be issued to anyone who is highly skilled and can get a job in the U.S. McDevitt is concerned a phony advanced degree could be the first step for someone in a
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paid by Saint Regis, every time CCI evaluates the academic credentials of one of its students. Danzig also said she was a paid consultant to Saint Regis.
135:
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sting. Experts say the group was one of the biggest fish in the booming $ 1 billion (£584 million) a year phony degree and diploma-granting racket."
1042:"Spokane a 'hot spot' for dubious degrees:Experts say schools offer diplomas of questionable worth for a few hundred dollars and little effort"
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Urgent Disclaimer on the illegal establishment and recognition of higher education institutions in the Republic of Liberia
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had used "phony degrees" from St. Regis University to qualify for promotions. Fourteen firefighters received disciplinary
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based on "life experience" instead of requiring the taking of academic classes or a formal course of study. It sold both
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197:(aka James Monroe University), St. Regis University, Robertstown University, and over 15 other named institutions.
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and have accreditation from the Minister of Education in Seborga and from the Distance Education Council (DEC) of
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Roberta Markishtum, and Kenneth Pearson. In January 2006 Pearson was also indicted for possession and receipt of
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credentials because of letters they received from a credential evaluator, Career Consultants International in
236:(Liberia) internet domains cancelled saintregis.edu.lr, in effect eliminating the Web presence of St. Regis.
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identified Saint Regis University as a diploma mill linked to 18 other front "schools". The school issued
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were accused of misrepresenting their professional credentials by using "fake degrees" from Saint Regis.
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and accredited by the Liberian government. It was revealed to be run by some of the same operators as
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The ring began operating in 1999 and during its operation sold more than $ 6 million worth of phony
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1019:"Degree mills take root in Spokane:Internet companies sell fake diplomas -- and it's all legal"
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Diploma-Mill Operators Bribed Liberian Officials for Bogus Credentials, Court Documents Say
728:"3 Operators of Major Diploma-Mill Chain Plead Guilty to Fraud Charges" by Thomas Bartlett
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Robertstown University (Liberia, operated from Washington state, Idaho and Arizona)
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operation that was one of about 120 connected institutions operated by an American
46:
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commit wire and mail fraud in a U.S. District Court in Washington in March 2008.
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Breach of Trust: Fake Diplomas Found at U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command
715:"Husband, daughter of Spokane diploma mill operator enter pleas," Seattle Times
273:
871:"U.S. Attorney Press Release - US v. Randock, et al. (Diploma Mill Fraud Case)"
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James Monroe University (Liberia, operated from Washington, Idaho and Arizona)
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The following are among the defunct operations run by the St. Regis operators
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Miranda International University (Tennessee, Washington, and Seborga, Italy)
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667:"Federal Officials Raid Homes in 3 States in Crackdown on Diploma Mill"
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three advanced degrees in engineering and chemistry, all for $ 1,277".
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List of unrecognized accreditation associations of higher learning
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Center College of Executive & Professional Development (India)
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Unaccredited institutions of higher learning in the United States
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White House, NSA staff said to be buyers from online diploma mill
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Office of Degree Authorization - Official State of Oregon Website
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White House, NSA staff said to be buyers from online diploma mill
889:"Spokane diploma mill's webmaster hit with child porn indictment"
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United States of America v. Kenneth Wade Pearson, Plea Agreement
57:
authorities. The operation was known as "Operation Gold Seal".
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Saint Regis University made national news when 11 teachers in
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The City of New York Department of Investigation news release
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The City of New York Department of Investigation news release
911:, U.S. State District Court, Eastern District of Washington
53:
ring from about 1999 until 2005, when it was shut down by
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Diploma Mills Represent Security Threat to United States
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922:"Diploma mill webmaster indicted on child-porn charges"
830:"Education Week American Education News Site of Record"
804:"States probe teachers' uses of bogus advanced degrees"
385:
Robertstown University formerly claimed that it was in
1085:"Unaccredited Post-Secondary Educational Institutions"
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States probe teachers' uses of bogus advanced degrees
571:""Operation Gold Seal" Shuts Down Major Diploma Mill"
491:
West Coast University (Panama, Western Australia, UK)
189:
SRU evaluations as soon as this scheme was revealed.
928:. Associated Press. January 25, 2006. Archived from
523:
List of unaccredited institutions of higher learning
1133:
U.S. Attorney Press Release - US v. Randock, et al.
614:
612:
306:In 2009, a social worker and two counselors in the
1006:Bail granted for operators of alleged diploma mill
981:"Health officials accuse 3 of buying fake degrees"
594:"List of unaccredited schools and diploma mills"
419:Bangalore Inst of Science, Tech. and Mgt (India)
298:government employees or government contractors.
232:A few months later the domain administrator for
669:. Chronicle of Higher Education. Archived from
482:University College for Advanced Studies (India)
1021:. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. December 2, 2003
904:
902:
741:Report Says 14 in Fire Dept. Used Fake Degrees
506:" run by the Saint Regis University operators:
479:Synergystics (ODA notes it "may" be connected)
634:
632:
630:
8:
1250:Educational institutions established in 1999
730:Chronicle of Higher Education, April 4, 2008
357:and terrorism. The reported explained that "
619:"Lawyer: Gov't workers got fake diplomas".
604:Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization
62:Oregon State Office of Degree Authorization
569:Stephen Barrett, M.D. (February 7, 2010).
787:"11 educators will lose state licenses."
589:
587:
551:Diploma Mill Concerns Extend Beyond Fraud
136:New York City Department of Investigation
1260:1999 establishments in the United States
1156:Spokane a 'hot spot' for dubious degrees
970:, The Associated Press, October 12, 2006
410:All Saints American University (Liberia)
1150:Fraud U:Toppling a Bogus-Diploma Empire
639:Phillips, Stephen (November 25, 2005).
543:
425:Capital American University (Liberia)
319:James Monroe International University
314:James Monroe International University
195:James Monroe International University
138:reported that several members of the
7:
641:"A stress-free PhD? A snip at $ 250"
1008:, Associated Press, 28 October 2005
665:Thomas Bartlett (August 15, 2005).
1180:A stress-free PhD? A snip at $ 250
1128:Regis University vs. Lorhan et al.
263:United States government employees
25:
1040:Bill Morlin (November 30, 2003).
956:The Chronicle of Higher Education
333:. Previously it claimed to be in
790:The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
698:Hundreds Linked to Diploma Mill
407:Al Qasim University (Pakistan)
1:
1204:Buyers of bogus degrees named
368:The report explained how the
150:Investigations and litigation
140:New York City Fire Department
473:St. Thomas Institute (India)
370:United States Secret Service
440:InTech University (Liberia)
431:Colony University (Liberia)
413:American Capital University
1276:
512:Distance Education Council
302:Washington state employees
215:The regionally accredited
26:
599:October 11, 2007, at the
325:, claimed to be based in
134:On January 31, 2007, the
706:, July 31, 2008, Pg. B1.
553:, by Diana Jean Schemo,
488:West American University
476:Stanley State University
452:New Manhattan University
278:National Security Agency
27:Not to be confused with
458:Panama Canal University
455:North United University
449:Nation State University
323:James Monroe University
240:Arrests and convictions
200:On October 4, 2004 the
1185:Times Higher Education
1152:, Wired, Dec. 21, 2009
1090:. State Government of
852:March 3, 2008, at the
645:Times Higher Education
502:The following is the "
467:St. Lourdes University
434:Hampton Bay University
394:Connected institutions
381:Robertstown University
363:terrorist sleeper cell
349:On December 15, 2005,
339:Saint Regis University
99:Times Higher Education
41:, sometimes styled as
39:Saint Regis University
1101:on September 30, 2007
762:May 13, 2008, at the
470:St. Renoir University
461:Port Rhode University
422:Blackstone University
286:Department of Justice
267:In October 2006, the
92:Operation and history
1209:The Spokesman-Review
1188:, November 25, 2005.
1164:, November 30, 2003.
1161:The Spokesman-Review
985:The Spokesman-Review
673:on February 11, 2006
533:School accreditation
416:Americana University
321:, formerly known as
280:employees, a senior
184:Liberian controversy
112:high school diplomas
74:high school diplomas
43:St. Regis University
18:St. Regis University
1200:, October 12, 2006.
1065:December 15, 2005,
895:. January 25, 2006.
778:, September 7, 2007
703:The Washington Post
696:Strauss, Valerie, "
623:. October 12, 2006.
485:Van Ives University
437:Hartland University
308:state of Washington
294:The Washington Post
155:Teachers in Georgia
86:Spokane, Washington
1122:Government sources
1044:. Spokesman Review
766:, January 31, 2007
747:, February 1, 2007
745:The New York Times
556:The New York Times
504:accreditation mill
353:aired a report on
96:In November 2005,
1216:PhD, the easy way
950:Thomas Bartlett,
926:The Seattle Times
291:On July 31, 2008
247:child pornography
105:US Secret Service
16:(Redirected from
1267:
1224:, August 9, 2008
1212:, July 29, 2008.
1197:Associated Press
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284:official, and a
282:State Department
269:Associated Press
217:Regis University
209:Washington, D.C.
174:Sunrise, Florida
120:graduate degrees
81:Associated Press
33:Denver, Colorado
29:Regis University
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650:January 27,
274:White House
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539:References
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359:H-1B visas
288:employee.
1173:USA Today
808:USA Today
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850:Archived
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517:See also
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858:Liberia
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335:Liberia
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205:Embassy
165:Georgia
66:degrees
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374:Syrian
251:felony
221:Denver
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1233:WHNT
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