Services Archives - Page 3 of 13

Catch Me If You Can

In his 1980 book Catch Me If You Can, written with Stan Redding, Frank Abagnale described how as a young man he had posed as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, a teacher and a lawyer. Steven Spielberg made it into a film in 2002.

In 2020 the journalist Alan C. Logan published an investigation that found most of these claims to be fabricated. Logan said public records showed that Abagnale “was confined for the most part in prison during those years.” Abagnale answered: “I have not read the book, nor do I think it is worthy of a comment.”

I’m Not a Doctor

In the mid-1980s, television ads for Vicks Formula 44 cough syrup featured actors who played doctors on soap operas. The line became famous: “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.”

The line was parodied many times. It is still a common American joke before giving advice one is not qualified to give.

The Yahoo CEO’s Degree

In May 2012 the hedge fund Third Point revealed that the résumé of Yahoo’s chief executive, Scott Thompson, claimed a degree in computer science from Stonehill College. His degree was in accounting.

Thompson resigned after only four months as chief executive.

The Admissions Dean

Marilee Jones joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1979 and became its dean of admissions in 1997. She co-wrote a book for parents and students, Less Stress, More Success. In April 2007 MIT learned that she did not hold the degrees she had claimed.

She resigned. “I misrepresented my academic degrees when I first applied to MIT 28 years ago,” she said. Daniel Hastings, MIT’s dean for undergraduate education, said: “But the integrity of the Institute is the highest priority, and we cannot tolerate this kind of behavior.”

Stolen Valor

On July 23, 2007, at his first meeting as a member of a California water district board, Xavier Alvarez introduced himself: “Back in 1987, I was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.” It was not true. He was prosecuted under the Stolen Valor Act of 2005.

On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court struck the law down, 6 to 3, as a violation of free speech. Congress then passed the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, signed by President Barack Obama. It requires “intent to gain some benefit or something of value by fraud.”

Santos

George Santos was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from New York in 2022. Reports then showed that he had never graduated from Baruch College, and his claims to have worked for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup did not hold up. He told City & State New York that he had embellished his résumé and was sorry.

On December 1, 2023, the House expelled him by a vote of 311 to 114. He was only the sixth member in its history to be expelled.

Notario Público

In many Spanish-speaking countries, a notario público may perform duties of an attorney. In the United States, a notary public has limited clerical duties, such as witnessing signatures and certifying copies. In 2018 Nevada’s attorney general warned immigrants: “The term “Notario Publico” is not recognized in the United States.”

The warning added that notaries in the United States “cannot practice law, give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.” The attorney general called the use of the title to imply legal training a scam.

One Worker in Four

In July 2015 the Obama White House released a report on occupational licensing. “Today, one-quarter of U.S. workers must have a State license to do their jobs, a five-fold increase since the 1950s.”

The report also named costs. “Licensing requirements vary substantially by State, creating barriers to workers moving across State lines …” It cited research finding that “more restrictive licensing raises prices for goods and services provided by licensed professionals.”

Board Certified

An American doctor needs a state license to practice. Many also seek board certification in a specialty. The American Board of Medical Specialties reported in May 2023 that “more than 975,000 physicians are currently certified by an ABMS Member Board.”

The board describes certification as “a higher standard that doctors choose to attain and maintain.” In a survey published by the board, patients said that board certification is an important factor when choosing a doctor.

The Engineer’s Stamp

In New York, plans prepared by a professional engineer “shall be stamped with such seal and shall also be signed, on the original with the personal signature” of the engineer.

Without the stamp, officials may not accept the plans. No state or local official charged with enforcing the law may “accept or approve any plans, specifications, or geologic drawings or reports that are not stamped.”