Alleged diploma mill could have aided potential terrorists
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
` SPOKANE, Wash. -- Federal officials are investigating an alleged Spokane-area diploma mill that might be providing fraudulent degrees that terrorists could use to enter the United States, according to court documents.
Half the "degrees" sold by Saint Regis University and online universities were sold overseas, a majority to "students" from Saudi Arabia, the documents filed Monday in U.S. District Court said.
The documents don't say how many degrees were sold overseas, but they contend the operation based in Spokane and northern Idaho "made millions" in the past few years.
Federal agents have targeted Steve and Dixie Randocks of Spokane in an eight-month investigation that is outlined in the documents.
The Ra ndocks' home in Colbert, just north of Spokane, and their business office were among five locations in the Spokane area searched last week by a multi-agency federal and state task force, led by the U.S. Secret Service
Court records show that a Liberian diplomat based in Washington, D.C., was soliciting cash bribes from the Randocks and their associates based in Spokane, Post Falls, Idaho, and Arizona.
The Liberian Embassy official demanded the bribes in exchange for lining up "accreditation" for Saint Regis University and other online schools and for arranging payments of $50 to $100 a month to Liberian educators who would pose as "faculty members" for the online universities, the documents said.
There have been no arrests, and no criminal charges have been filed.
The federal task force is looking for evidence of conspiracy, wire and mail fraud, money laundering, bankruptcy fraud, income tax evasion and engaging in "prohibited foreign trade practices."
The Spokesman-Review newspaper of Spokane reported Tuesday that sources told the newspaper that foreigners who purchased bogus online degrees could be eligible for "H1-B" visas, using their educational backgrounds as reasons for legitimate entry into the United States.
During the investigation, an undercover Secret Service agent using the name "Mohammed Syed" applied for a college degree from James Monroe University.
The applicant, court documents say, filled out an online application, claiming he had obtained "multiple hours of training in chemistry and engineering" as a member of the Syrian Army.
Syed said he was in the United States on a visitor's visa, "but wanted to quickly obtain college degrees so he could find employment and obtain a H1-B visa to remain in the United States," the documents said.
Within a month, the operators of the bogus online university responded by e-mail, telling Syed he could purchase college degrees in chemistry and environmental engineering for $1,277.
Richard Novak, of Peoria, Ariz., is identified in court documents as an associate of Dixie and Stephen Randock.
Novak told an undercover agent that the Randocks' three main online universities, Saint Regis, Robertstown and James Monroe, "have made millions of dollars over recent years."
Agents also searched Novak's home in Arizona and a business office in Post Falls, used for shipping diplomas.
They also searched a stamp works in Spokane operated by Blake Carlson. Documents seized in the search show the Hillyard-area businessman has conspired with the Randocks, listing himself as the "dean of studies" of Robertstown University, and "provost and chief academic officer" for Saint Regis University.
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Information from: The Spokesman-Review, spokesmanreview.com |
