Top-level A&M official resigns amid questions over credentials [Violated Stolen Valor Act]

The Eagle newspaper, Bryan-College Station, texas ^ | June 19, 2010 | VIMAL PATEL

[summer]

"Dr" Alex Kemos

Texas A&M's No. 3 administrator presented himself as a warrior-scholar: A former Navy SEAL with a doctorate from Tufts University.

But records obtained by The Eagle indicate Alexander Kemos never was part of the elite fighting force, and Texas A&M officials confirmed Friday that he doesn't have a doctorate or even a master's degree, which was a posted requirement for the $300,000-a-year position that serves as the top adviser to Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin. ...

[summer]

Do you think this guy should be prosecuted for violating the Stolen Valor Act? And for stealing $300,000 from taxpayers in his salary, which he was actually ineligible to receive as he claimed two fake advanced degrees?

There is currently a 23 year-old student, Adama Wheeler, facing prosecution for 20 criminal counts and 50 years in jail, for allegedly faking his way into Harvard and allegedly stealing $45,000. Does the law only apply to the Little People? Or does it apply to fake "Dr" Kemos, too?

The fake Navy SEAL experience claimed by Kemos to Teas A&M is in his resume linked at the end of the posted article.

In addition, another article about his fake military service is here:

A&M administrator lied about military service

BTW, according to a google search, this Kemos worked for GW Bush in 2007, representing him as an expert to China. In addition, according to zabasearch.com, this Kemos lives in Kennebunkport, Maine, which is where GH Bush resides.

I think this Kemos was being prepped for a run as Jeb's VP with his fake credentials and his top job at Texas A&M.

In recent years I have decided I am no longer any fan of Jeb Bush. For many reasons, I now think Jeb is a crook. Just my opinion.

[summer]

More about Adam Wheeler, the Harvard Hoax -- Harvard Hoax - Adam Wheeler

[Richard Kimball]

Looks like he stole Peyton Manning’s forehead.

[Lancey Howard]

In recent years I have decided I am no longer any fan of Jeb Bush. For many reasons, I now think Jeb is a crook. Just my opinion.

Wwwwwwow.
I have to admit, you just floored me. I remember when you posted very regularly around here and were one of Jeb's biggest boosters.

[muawiyah]

www.familysearch.kemos has no reference to any foreign born folks in the KEMOS family. Did a bit more search and it shows up as a Turkish name, but rarely with Christian given names (Alexandra, Timothy, etc.).

I'm going to guess these bad boys are actually BULGARIAN ROMA ~ Orthodox religion and Turkish surname ~ from the border region.

This is a pretty highbrow scam though.

[Lancey Howard]

By the way, yes, this p.o.s Kemos should be jailed.

[trumandogz]

Aggies Get Punked Again!

[James C. Bennett]

'Kemos' sounds more Greek than Bulgarian.

[Americanexpat]

Whenever someone tells me they were a seal, SF or another elite unite, or they were a fotrmer POW, I take it with a grain of salt until I get to know them.

[uscabjd]

What is the link with Jeb Bush?

[muawiyah]

It shows up in Turkey. I didn't find any Greeks of note by that name.

Now, Bulgarian? These guys have Greek, or Orthodox, given names.

That really does place them on the Bulgarian/Greek/Turkish borderlands ~ and most likely as Roma.

All the Roma tribes in the West went to Bulgaria when that territory was held by the Mongols. The top Mongol ruling the country was a Christian in fact.

The subject of this news story just got caught in a bunco game.

[Maine Mariner]

Well it sounds like the search committee at Texas A&M did not do its job. It is pretty easy to verify if someone has a Ph.D. or not. The job candidate requests the college to send a grade transcript directly to the college's HR department or to the chair of the committee directly.

The transcript will indicate not only grades but what degree or degrees if any were earned and when. It is that simple. Oh and if the candidate refuses the request then he or she is immediately disqualified for any further consideration.

[summer]

I think this fake was being prepped to be Jeb’s VP.

BTW I am glad someone said this fake should be jailed. I agree. And if Jeb and his brother and his father were all in on it too, well, I am sorry but: that’s a conspiracy. They should all be jailed if that is indeed the case.

[summer]

It is not always that simple for many reasons, but here is just one: the university is trying to claim they never check nor ask for degree transcripts for administrative and staff jobs (only for faculty teaching jobs). Others at that university say that is a lie, and those jobs required transcripts too, but they didn’t require any for this fake.

I seem to recall some schools have the above policy, or did before 9/11 but then changed it, or, had it but - it did not apply if you were applying for a job where you would be signing documents for the university and making more than $100K per year or something. In which case - this fake’s transcripts should have been required.

I just want to add this: this story is really irksome to me on many levels, but one is how this fake mentored students who wanted to apply for the Navy SEAL program, and was a fake mentor. He would tell them fake stories about his fake exploits, according to students quoted in another article about this matter. That just makes my skin craw, it is so creepy and odious.

And, of course, the fake mentor Kemos was not able to write recommendation letters for these very real TAMU students who wanted to become Navy SEAL because: Kemos knew he, Kemos, was a fake and by writing such letters he might get caught.

This kind of fraud just makes me want to scream. It should be on the front page of every newspaper.

How do we improve education in this country? Well, for one, get rid of fake Navy SEALS in universities who cost taxpayers $300,000 — and maybe respect the students enought to hire real mentors. Ever think of that?

Just makes me want to shriek. And I am sure Jeb and his father and brother all thought this was fine — just shove our fake SEAL in that university so he can fake his way and get some real experience and real university salary and real public trust credentials by working at a public university — and the h*ll with the students and faculty and everyone else there.

It just makes me want to scream.

[Molon Labbie]

Want to out a guy claiming to be a SEAL? Ask to him what class he was in and to see his Budweiser.

[uscabjd]

You have offered no reason to believe that the Bush family has any connection with this guy.

It’s stunning that people can lie like this and expect no one will notice. Apparently, fake resumes are common. A Superior Court judge in Los Angeles lost his job and was disbarred b/c of fake academic and military claims.

[mware]

see his Budweiser.

six pack????

[summer]

If you google “bush” and “kemos” and “china” here is what comes up:

[PDF]
George Bush China-U.S. Relations Conference: Development, Energy ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
George Bush China-U.S. Relations Conference: Development, Energy, and Security ... Dr. Alexander Kemos, Partner, Nordic-American Corporate Development and ...
china-us.tamu.edu/.../Agriculture-20Forum-20Final-20Report.pdf - Similar

---

If you go to page 2 of this offical TAMU doc about a 2007 conference in DC with Chinese officials, here is what you’ll find —

“Dr. Alexander Kemos, Partner, Nordic-American Corporate Development and
Finance Company, gave the second lead presentation titled “The Political Economy of Food
Safety Infrastructure and Economics in China.” He advised the U.S. stakeholders to avoid
project mirror images onto the receiving end in China. Dr. Kemos emphasized the importance
of acculturation and mutual understanding as the key to successful collaboration.”

—and bear in mind the “Dr” part of that “Dr” Kemos is a fake.

[summer]

If you google “bush” and “kemos” and “china” here is what comes up:

[PDF]
George Bush China-U.S. Relations Conference: Development, Energy ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
George Bush China-U.S. Relations Conference: Development, Energy, and Security ... Dr. Alexander Kemos, Partner, Nordic-American Corporate Development and ...
china-us.tamu.edu/.../Agriculture-20Forum-20Final-20Report.pdf - Similar

---

If you go to page 2 of this offical TAMU doc about a 2007 conference in DC with Chinese officials, here is what you’ll find —

“Dr. Alexander Kemos, Partner, Nordic-American Corporate Development and
Finance Company, gave the second lead presentation titled “The Political Economy of Food
Safety Infrastructure and Economics in China.” He advised the U.S. stakeholders to avoid
project mirror images onto the receiving end in China. Dr. Kemos emphasized the importance
of acculturation and mutual understanding as the key to successful collaboration.”

—and bear in mind the “Dr” part of that “Dr” Kemos is a fake.

[summer]

If you google “bush” and “kemos” and “china” here is what comes up:

[PDF]
George Bush China-U.S. Relations Conference: Development, Energy ...
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
George Bush China-U.S. Relations Conference: Development, Energy, and Security ... Dr. Alexander Kemos, Partner, Nordic-American Corporate Development and ...
china-us.tamu.edu/.../Agriculture-20Forum-20Final-20Report.pdf - Similar

---

If you go to page 2 of this offical TAMU doc about a 2007 conference in DC with Chinese officials, here is what you’ll find —

“Dr. Alexander Kemos, Partner, Nordic-American Corporate Development and
Finance Company, gave the second lead presentation titled “The Political Economy of Food
Safety Infrastructure and Economics in China.” He advised the U.S. stakeholders to avoid
project mirror images onto the receiving end in China. Dr. Kemos emphasized the importance
of acculturation and mutual understanding as the key to successful collaboration.”

—and bear in mind the “Dr” part of that “Dr” Kemos is a fake.

[summer]

BTW, I only meant to post that once.

[summer]

If you look this fake up on zabasearch.com, you’ll find he lives in Kennebunkport, home of GH Bush.

If you know anything about Texas A&M, and I will guess you do, you know it is the home of the GW Bush Library.

So, I would say: there is one direct connection since he was a featured speaker at a conference hosted by then President Bush, and two indirect connections, in light of the particular university and his place of residence.

[summer]

Oh, that is the best part, what you mention. He had a whole paragraph of such fiction on his resume. I will find it and post it for you. Really. Just disgusting what this guy did.

[summer]

Here is the part that makes me just want to scream, the fake mentoring of real students at a public university -- this has to be a violation of these kids' civil rights.

The excerpt below is from this article:

Lies catch up to Kemos

...However, at Texas A&M -- known for its military history and its reverence toward veterans -- Kemos mentored prospective SEALs, told detailed stories about his supposed exploits during his time with the elite fighting unit, and in April even spoke at a dinner for cadets about ethical dilemmas he faced while he was a SEAL, students said in interviews with The Eagle.

"These people are my heroes, my role models. That's what I want to be, and he just lied about it -- that's what made me the angriest," said Jeff Legg, who graduated from Texas A&M in December and is now in Coronado, Calif., training to be a SEAL. "I know people make mistakes, but this was one well-thought-out mistake."

Legg had met with Kemos and requested a letter of recommendation from him for SEAL training. Kemos agreed but kept delaying, and never sent the letter, Legg said.

"He said he was being considered for a job to go back as a captain or some B.S. like that," Legg said. "So he couldn't write a letter because it would be bias or something like that. He sounded credible at the time."

Adam Unger, the commanding officer for student group SEAL Platoon within the Corps of Cadets, was upset at Kemos, he said. But most of all, he said, he found the situation funny.

That's because he thought of Michael Johnson, who has graduated but was a member of the platoon last year. Johnson was playfully brushed off by the group because of a belief he disclosed to them following a brief interaction with Kemos: The guy was faking.

"He was trying too hard and using terminology from books," Unger said, explaining Johnson's views. Johnson, who is currently in Navy boot camp north of Chicago, could not be reached for this story.

The conviction became a running joke among the platoon, but no one ever thought to alert anyone, Unger said. Officials have not said how Loftin found out about questions regarding Kemos. The Eagle had been looking into Kemos' background weeks before his resignation and was preparing a story, but the newspaper had not alerted Texas A&M officials as of June 17, the day Loftin said he confronted Kemos.

[summer]

Here is the fiction on his resume (linked below the article I posted on the original newspaper web site) -- lots of fake details for someone who has no military background:

--------------

1/1982 ‐ 5/1987 

Naval Special Warfare Group Two, Little Creek, VA  United  States  Navy  SEAL  Team  Two  Platoon  Leader  and  Operations  Officer. 

Graduate  of  BUD/S  Class  93.  Organize  and  execute  small  unit  operations  in  support  of  Naval  Special  Warfare  missions  and  imperatives.  Deployments  in 

Middle East and North Africa; including United Nations Forces in Lebanon (1983‐ 1984).    Selected  for  Arabic  Language  Training  at  Defense  Language  Institute  Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), Monterey California.
   ----------

BTW, the last time I looked, the Stolen Valor guys' web site had this Kemos listed as a "secured target."

From StolenValor.com --

Top-level A&M official resigns amid questions over credentials

Alexander Kemos
" ...Alexander Kemos never was part of the elite fighting force, and Texas A&M officials confirmed Friday that he doesn't have a doctorate or even a master's degree, which was a posted requirement for the $300,000-a-year position..."
Update July 1, 2010:
Loftin details Kemos betrayal
Source: http://www.theeagle.com/am/Kemos-resigns-amid-scandal
Date added: July 01, 2010

These Stolen Valor guys' included another thread, "Loftin Details Kemos Betrayal" which concerns the TAMU president's blathering story trying to distance himself from this fraud, but his story doesn't hold water. I think maybe the Stolen Valor guys believe he is guilty, too, and I would agree with them 100% if they included that thread on their site because they want to go after both Kemos and Loftin, the TAMU president.

But I also believe: this university president did not, all by his little lonesome self, go out there to find a fraud with two fake degrees and some fake Navy SEAL experience to hire. Oh no. I think this conspiracy, if that is indeed what it is, is a whole lot bigger and involved a lot more.

And it is just so odious. So heinous to do that to students and to disrespect both the students, the faculty, the university, and, of course, all the brave men and women who do serve in the military, and the brave men who are indeed Navy SEALS.
Prison time for all those fakes in this conspiracy. All of the ones who engineered this fake's entry into TAMU and collected $300,000 in taxpayer money, too. Just heinous.

Thank you for letting me scream about this to you. A fraud is a fraud is a fraud. Jail time for the little people means jail time for him, too, is my opinion. I am glad others here agree.

[Molon Labbie]

Well, maybe the FBI will go after him as well.

[summer]

Re what you wrote: “A Superior Court judge in Los Angeles lost his job and was disbarred b/c of fake academic and military claims.”

I hate to say this, but it does not surprise me. It is very difficult to get people to do their jobs, like check credentials. “Oh, he’s a JUDGE, no need to check anything” is what they think. But I think differently, after seeing this kind of cr*p for the past 25 years.

Jeb Bush claims he has a 4-year degree from a university in Texas that he managed to get in only 2-1/2 years. While I have no doubt some people can in fact do work in a short time span, I would not be surprised to discover if 1-1/2 years of required coursework is omitted from his degree, and they just gave it to him anyway, because he got his girlfriend pregnant at the time and then married her. Something like that. And maybe that is why he knew he could never pursue an advanced degree; because then the fraud would be discovered.

I don’t know if that is what happened; I’m just saying: it would not surprise me in the least if in fact that was true.

So your claim does not surprise me either, re the judge.

What is so disappointing is that people are out there who do work very hard for their degrees, who do believe it is a stepping stone, but, in this country: fraud has replaced honest, hard work as the stepping stone, and it just happens too often.

That needs to stop. It is a waste of the real talent in this country, to keep such talented people down, down, down because you found a fraud you can control and you own the media and/or law enforcement as well.

It is a shame. Really a shame. And people who participate in that kind of white collar crime need to go to jail for very long periods of time. Even if they are judges, former governors, and dare I say it, and yes I will, former presidents. It is a terrible thing to do to honest hardworking citizens of this country, to deny opportunity because you need to have your fake in there instead of a qualified person.

Obviously, that judge is compromised. Who knows why he makes the rulings he does; he needs to keep his secret first and foremost.

Obviously, that TAMU administrator is compromised, and he fired people, too.

How would you like to lose your job because a fake fired you?

Not good what is happening with respect to this kind of fraud. Not good at all.

We need to toughen up laws and sentence people to jail who violate The Stolen Valor Act and fraudulently haul off with hundreds of thousands or millions in taxpayer loot.

Hope someone who cares about the military, honest taxpayers and students is reading this and waking up.

[summer]

RE: the FBI going after this creep Kemos

Hopefully, yes. Maybe that will happen.

[summer]

RE: the FBI going after this creep Kemos

Hopefully, yes. Maybe that will happen.

[summer]

And BTW there is already jail time in that Stolen Valor Act federal law; and if ever a case deserved prosecution, I would say this case, re Kemos, is such a case. Violating not only that law, but the public trust, firing people, hauling out taxpayer money, and telling lies to students.

Just horrible. Really terrible. On so many levels.

[summer]

Thanks again for letting me vent and scream about this matter. I appreciate it.

[Man50D]

He can join Richard Blumenthal’s club.

[summer]

Or move to Pakistan -- Alex Kemos, BS in Fake, will fit right in:

Fake degree scandal roils Pakistani politics - AP via statesman.com June 29, 2010 -- Excerpt:

ISLAMABAD — Scores of Pakistani lawmakers may lose their seats for allegedly lying about their academic credentials, a growing scandal that adds to the woes of the U.S.-backed leadership as it struggles with Islamist militancy and a weak economy.

What began as accusations against a handful of lawmakers has mushroomed into formal legal challenges against up to 160 elected officials — more than 10 percent of the country's federal and provincial legislators. Many are said to have claimed fake degrees to meet a previous requirement for holding office.

The Supreme Court has ordered the Elections Commission to vet the credentials of nearly all of the some 1,100 federal and provincial lawmakers. If enough lawmakers are found ineligible, there are rumblings that a midterm election may be needed.

The scandal has drawn some frustrated reactions from lawmakers besieged by an aggressive media.

"A degree is a degree! Whether fake or genuine, it's a degree! It makes no difference!" Baluchistan province chief minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, who claims a master's in political science, shouted at a gaggle of reporters Tuesday....

[uscabjd]

The judge lied on his application to the governor.

Jeb Bush graduated from UT as a Phi Beta Kappa. He’s been in politics for over 12 yrs - I’m sure his background has been checked and re-checked. There is no reason to believe it is fake.

[summer]

He’s been in politics for over 12 yrs - I’m sure his background has been checked and re-checked

---

It would not surprise me if no reporter has ever thought to ask to see his college transcript.

After he graduated - and he graduated in only 2-1/2 years so I doubt any distinction such as what you mention exists - he “proved” his degree in Latin American Studies by: working in Latin America, with money (at a bank).

So, I bet you: no one ever thought to check his transcripts out because of the fact he had the above job right out of college.

Again, it would not surprise me if his degree is missing 1-1/2 years of required coursework.

And, again — I don’t that to be true, but it would not surprise me now, at all, if it was true.

In any event, what happen with this 3rd highest ranking administrator at Texas A&M University, being a fake, who admitted it, is still, as you put it, “stunning.”

I agree. I am amazed he was outed as a fake SEAL and is no longer employed there. Other fakes last much longer, ripping off the taxpayer and telling lies to students. Though Kemos’ lies were very brazen, and, frankly, downright cruel in my view.

[MEG33]

Source please for your speculations.

[MEG33]

I think a bunch of Navy Seals need to teach him a lesson before he is jailed..
It is astounding that he was such a fake and just now discovered..but then he isn’t the first con man.

A school janitor would seem to get more scrutiny than the biggest frauds.

[summer]

If you mean speculations on Jeb Bush not actually completing the coursework required for his 4-year degree, that source is my own analysis, based on the fact he worked out of the country immediately upon graduating in a bank — so, it would seem: yes, he did complete the course requirements since a bank accepted his degree though the bank was in Latin American.

But now, it seems to me: his father got him that job, and so, unlike others who get their girlfriend pregnant while in college — if indeed that is what happened, and I certainly don’t know if it did — Jeb Bush did not have to drop out. He simply cut short his college career, maybe his father got the college to hand him a degree despite not having done the coursework, and off Jeb Bush goes to Latin American courtesy of his father, to work in a bank, since: his degree is in Latin American Studies. So, now:

it doesn’t look like he dropped out, or had to drop out; it looks like: he was just such a genius he finished in only 2-1/2 years instead of 4.

But is that really what happened? That is my speculation, a question. Which scenario is what actually happened?

And my only answer is this: I would not be surprised, now, if he was missing 1-1/2 years of coursework in his degree; I don’t know if he is or not; I would just not be surprised, now, is my point.

[summer]

Re: “A school janitor would seem to get more scrutiny than the biggest frauds”

I agree.

[MEG33]

I was referring to your insinuating HWBush knew this joker was a fraud..He served in the Navy in WW2 and I speculate he would never knowingly support a fake Navy Seal nor would GW.
Too much innuendo and speculation going on..IMO.
I thought it was a distraction from the main horror of this man’s fakery.
Just happy he is exposed..tar and feathers at the Seal training facility would please me greatly..
I have no idea why Jeb’s degree info got mixed up in all this..

[MEG33]

Jeb graduated in 73, married in 74 and first child born in 76.

[summer]

RE: “I have no idea why Jeb’s degree info got mixed up in all this..”

You didn’t specify what “speculations” you were talking about. The reply you posted was directly under my comment about his degree. Had you specified what you meant, there would be no mix-up. That’s how it happened.

[summer]

Re: “Jeb graduated in 73, married in 74 and first child born in 76.”

I a, not interested in attempting to look up dates right now or correcting you if you’re wrong, but I will tell you a true and funny story. When he was governor, I noticed that online in various info at the governor website of Florida, he had not one, but two different years he claimed he was married.

I emailed him and suggested he pick one of the two different years as his marriage date - and stick with it.

That is a true story.

Frankly, at this point, it would not surprise me if he never got officially married, and they are just common law husband and wife.

Just my guess; I could be wrong but - it would not surprise me if there was actually no official marriage certificate.

Jeb and his father are not big on official documentation, is what I have come to learn.

[summer]

Re: “I speculate he [GH] would never knowingly support a fake Navy Seal nor would GW.”

You can speculate all you want.

I disagree with you. GH and GW and Jeb are politicians, first and foremost. Sticking a fake military honor on someone they want to put forth to the public as a candidate is not beneath them, is now my opinion. Is it terrible to think that? Yes, it is shocking, and shocking to me, too.
I guess it’s the same way one feels to learn that some priests or rabbis molest children, or some lawyers are frauds, or some bankers steal, judges lie, etc etc.

BTW, some school janitors are not checked out so well; it depends on the school, the situation, etc.

But these frauds - like this guy - receive less checking when they are installed primarily for political reasons.
It’s shocking what can go in education, that’s for sure. It can be political beyond belief because it involved the public trust, and there is nothing a politician wants more than to gain the public trust.

I have learned that, too.

[summer]

BTW, it should be no surprise to you that power can corrupt. A dynasty is a dynasty is a dynasty, and I am glad so many people do not want a dynasty in this country in office ever again.

[Southack]

FROM YOUR OWN LINK:

submitted by Alexander’s wife - Tamsin....nope, definitely not Bush OR Perry supporters:

By Tamsin, Mar 10, 2008 at 9:03:04 AM ET
Dear Sen Obama,
I have to admit that when I first heard you speak at the Democratic convention in 2004, I decided then and there that you should be President and hoped that you would run.

And yet, I was so used to being disappointed by politicians that I was afraid to believe that you could be different. So my husband and I started calling all our friends at Harvard (he taught there) and-—all good things. Then we spoke with my husband’s cousin who was your classmate at Harvard Law and she strongly supports your candidacy and considers you to be brilliant, honest, and genuine. And finally, we spoke with our friends in the secret service—and they began reporting that you are nice, down to earth, honest, and a person of integrity. Those tough guys love you! So do we!

You have restored my faith in the possibility for a government that works for ordinary people and you have inspired me to work for what I believe in. I am grateful for your leadership.

So, they can throw the kitchen sink at you, they can throw a whole house if they like. My family is standing with you.

Thank you for your hard work and sacrifice. We love you—and we know you love us back!

In faith,
Tamsin Kemos
6/21/2010 1:00 PM CDT on The Eagle

[Southack]

"If you know anything about Texas A&M, and I will guess you do, you know it is the home of the GW Bush Library."

Nope. The GW Bush Library is at SMU.

The GHW Bush Library is at A&M.

[Southack]

"I think this Kemos was being prepped for a run as Jeb's VP with his fake credentials and his top job at Texas A&M." - summer

You are an idiot. Kemos and his wife are die-hard 0bama activists (who lied about Kemos teaching at Harvard, too).

[summer]

ReL “The [...] Bush Library is at A&M.”

Whatever Bush Library is there is what I meant.

[ladyjane]

Jeb Bush a crook?

Well his wife tried to smuggle tens of thousands of dollars of European designer clothes into the country. Funny thing, she wasn’t prosecuted.