October 27, 2010, Dept. of the Army, F.O.I.L. Response,
[undated] United States Coast Guard, F.O.I.L. Response,
November 20, 2010, No Trafficking.com Blog, Human Trafficking Hero…or FRAUD? By Anthony M. Davis,
November 20, 2010, Monterey Institute Reviews Former Instructors Credentials
[undated] From the President and Provost, Message to Monterey Institute Alumni- Bill Hillar,
[undated] Affidavit in Support of Search Warrant,
[undated] Criminal Complaint,
January 25, 2011, Monterey Institute of International Studies Press Release, Monterey Institute Comments on Arrest of Bill Hillar,
January 25, 2011, Dept. of Justice Press Release, Millersville Man Charged in Fraud Scheme,
January 25, 2011, Dept. of Justice Press Release, SF Colonel Takes Guilty Plea,
February 2011, Issue No. 217, Homeland Security Report, [By Anthony M. Davis]
February 1, 2011, Indictment,
March 22, 2011, William Hillar Plea Agreement,
March 29, 2011, Dept. of Justice Press Release, MILLERSVILLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO POSING AS A RETIRED ARMY SPECIAL FORCES COLONEL
August 30, 2011, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland, Press Release, Millersville Man Sentenced for Posing as a Retired Army Special Forces,
March 22, 2010, William Hillar Plea Agreement
William Hillar search warrant affidavit
13. Bank records from an account in Hillar's name indicate payment was made in the form of a check to Hillar from the following sources in 2010 alone:
Organization
Los Angeles Federal Executive Board 7/15/2010 $3,000.00
City of Redmond 6/10/2010 $1,609.00
Salt Lake City Corporation 8/19/2010 $183.00
Salt Lake City Corporation 9/9/2010 $2,400.00
City of Lander WY 8/25/2010 $1,800.00
Freemont County Community College 9/23/2010 $1,000.00
Monterey Institute 11/3/201 $2,040.00
Monterey Institute 7/7/2010 $2,145.00
University of Oregon 9/16/2010 $278.00
University of Oregon 10/29/2010 $779.17
University of Oregon 7/30/2010 $779. 17
FBI Command College 5/28/2010 $1,449.40
University of Oregon 5/28/ 2010 $ 779.17
Total--- $18,241.91
14. Investigation has also revealed that the following sources claim to have paid Hillar for teaching and speaking in the amounts listed below. These amounts are in addition to the amounts listed above.
Organization
STARS - 2007 conference $4,000.00
NLETS - 2008 conference $2,500.00
College of Southern Maryland $3,072.75
Illinois State Police $850.00
California Fire Chiefs Association $1,980.81
FBI Salt Lake City Division $1,010.00
FBI Chicago Division $1,000.00
Murray City Corporation $2,400.00
University of Oregon $30,409.49
Monterey Institute $28,315.00
Federal Executive Board of Los Angeles $24,140.00
Total--- $99,678.05
However, your affiant has been unable to determine where checks in these amounts were deposited or cashed. Your affiant believes that because Hillar does not appear to deposit most of his income into a bank account that the only record of his victims may be in this residence which he also lists a[s] the business address for his teaching and speaking business.
William Hillar search warrant affidavit
Hillar Criminal Complaint, Unsigned & Undated.
FBI Special Agent David A. Rodski, of the Baltimore Field Office,
2. I am a Special Agent of the FBI and have been so employed for more than eight and a half years. I am presently assigned to the Baltimore Field Office of the FBI. During my tenure with the FBI, I have been assigned to the investigation of a variety of criminal have been assigned to the investigation of a variety of criminal offenses, to include drug trafficking, white collar crimes, bank robbery, and both domestic and international terrorism.
3. I have been personally involved in the investigation of this matter. This affidavit is based on information obtained from law enforcement and government personnel; witness statements; my personal knowledge and observations; my examination of various reports, documents, records, and computer databases. Unless otherwise indicated, when the contents of a document, or an individual's statement, are reported herein, they are reported in substance and part and are not intended to be a verbatim recitation of the document or statement. The information in this affidavit is provided for the limited purpose of establishing probable cause and is not a complete statement of all facts related to this case.
8. Records indicate Hillar has been teaching at the Monterey Institute since the spring of 2005. During his tenure at the Monterey Institute, Hillar has taught a total of twelve (12) courses/workshops. The official at the Monterey Institute who hired Hillar told your affiant that the decision to hire Hillar was based upon Hillar's experience and credentials including, but not limited to, his experience as a Colonel in the U.S. Army, and his educational background including a Ph. D. from the University of Oregon. The university official responsible for hiring Hillar also told your affiant that she relied on the biographical statement posted on
9. On November 22, 2010, your affiant received notification from The Department of Defense, Inspector General, St. Louis, MO, that a search of military and civilian records at the National Archives and Records Administration for Hillar provided a negative response for any records of service with the U.S. Army. The search was able to locate a Coast Guard service record for Hillar under his service number for the years 1962-1970 that indicated Hillar was an enlisted sailor in the Coast Guard reserves achieving the rate of RD (Radarman) 3. A review of the Coast Guard service record received by your affiant on November 30, 2010 also revealed that Hillar was never deployed to any of the locations mentioned on his website, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America, nor was given any training in the fields of tactical counter-terrorism, explosive ordnance, emergency medicine and psychological warfare, in the Coast Guard.
12. Sometime prior to July 7, 2010, Hillar submitted to the Monterey Institute a Statement requesting payment in the amount of $3,000 for teaching a workshop titled, "Tactical Counter Terrorism" on April 16-18, 2010. Documents indicate the statement was processed for payment by the Monterey Institute on June 29, 2010 and a check was issued and mailed to Hillar on or about July 7, 2010. The check was subsequently deposited by Hillar in a checking account in his name on July 23, 2010.
William Hillar Indictment on Scribd, February 1, 2011,
William Hillar Indictment
2/28/06 $2,500
5/03/06 $2,500
10/11/06 $2,500
5/23/07 $2,500
10/03/07 $2,500
3/05/08 $2,500
10/08/08 $3,000
3/11/09 $3,000
07/07/10 $2,145.00
11/3/10 $2,040.00
The funds and property held by LPL Financial, Investment Account #6899-6851, Primary account holder, William G. Hillar, 472 Old Orchard Circle, Millersville, MD 21108
The Scheme to Defraud
2. From in and around 1998 and continuing until in or around January 25, 2011, in the District of Maryland and elsewhere, the defendant, knowingly and willfully devised and intended a scheme and artifice to defraud the Monterey Institute of International Studies, the University of Oregon, the Federal Executive Board of Los Angeles, and others...
4. Hillar has been teaching, leading workshops, giving speeches, and conducting training for public and private sector clients for at least the past twelve (12) years under fraudulent pretenses.
6. Hillar has advertised himself as a speaker and trainer through various media including the world wide web....Further, a resume provided by Hillar to at least one of his clients falsely states that Hillar received a Ph. D. from the University of Oregon.
7. From on or around 1998 to 2010, the following organizations, among others, paid Hillar at least $147,491.96 for teaching, leading workshops and speaking:
[List reordered chronologically]
FBI Salt Lake City Division 4/21/1998 $1,010.00
Federal Executive Board of Los Angeles 2000-2010 $27,140.00
Illinois State Police 3/10/2002 $850
FBI Chicago Division 6/4/2002 $1,000
University of Oregon 2002-2010 $33,025.00
Montana Sheriff and Peace Officers Association 6/11/2003 $9,500
Monterey Institute of International Studies 2005-2010 $32,500.00
College of Southen Maryland 2005 $3,072.75
U.S. Army (Aberdeen Proving Ground) 3/5/2007 $3,625.00
Utah Valley State College 2007-2008 $8,430.00
California Fire Chiefs Association 10/4/2007 $1,980.81
State Training and Audit Resource Seminar (STARS) 12/11/2007 $4,000.00
Southwestern Oregon Fire Instructors Association 5/12/2008 $2,241.00
National Law Enforcement Telecoms Systems (NLETS) 2008 Conference 5/30/2008 $2,500.00
Georgia Terminal Agency Coordinators (TAC) Conference 10/3/2008 $1,240.50
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) 10/9/2009 $2,400.00
Murray City Corporation 10/29/2009 $2,400
U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs 3/11/2010 $2,135.50
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Command College 5/28/2010 $1,449.40
City of Redmond 6/10/2010 $1,609.00
City of Lander, WY 8/25/2010 $1,800
Salt Lake City Corporation 9/9/2010 $2,583.00
Total $147,491.96
8. During his tenure at the Monterey Institute, Hillar has taught a total of twelve (12) courses/workshops. The Monterey Institute hired Hillar based upon his experience and credentials including, but not limited to, his experience in the U.S. Army Special Forces, and his educational background including a Ph. D.
http://www.losangeles.feb.gov/
Federal Executive Boards mission is to strengthen the management and administration of Federal activities and promote government wide management improvement; and encourage interagency cooperation with the objectives of improved intergovernmental coordination, cost reduction, and better services to the public. Boards improve internal management practices and communication, eliminate duplication of effort and provide a central focus for Federal participation in community affairs through liaison with officials of state and local governments and the private sector. FEBs are an efficient and effective force for progress. Similar to the President's Cabinet in our Nation's Capital, FEB membership becomes automatic and mandatory by virtue of the incumbent being the Senior agency official within the FEB's geographic boundaries. Unlike the Cabinet, membership is not limited to Department-level organizations. FEB activities and committees are not just for executives.
STATEMENT OF FINDINGS REGARDING BILL HILLAR
Posted: Nov 24, 2010 7:11 PM EST Updated: Nov 24, 2010 8:54 PM EST
By Kiki Jones - email
1. After a process of intensive research and consultation, the Monterey Institute of International Studies has concluded that Bill Hillar, a lecturer contracted to lead one workshop session per semester for the past several years, misrepresented his academic credentials to the Institute.
2. On the resume he submitted to the Monterey Institute, Mr. Hillar claimed to have earned a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. The University of Oregon has confirmed that he did not in fact earn this degree.
3. On a biographical sketch Mr. Hillar provided to the Institute, and on the professional Web site formerly located at billhillartraining.com, Mr. Hillar claimed to be "a retired colonel of the U.S. Army Special Forces." Similar claims have been repeated in multiple news articles, and witnessed by multiple Monterey Institute students and faculty. The Institute has been unable to obtain any military records that substantiate this claim.
4. The Institute has attempted to contact Mr. Hillar directly by multiple means with the request that he provide evidence in support of the academic and military credentials he has claimed. Mr. Hillar has not responded to any attempts the Institute has made to communicate with him since the Institute began its formal research process.
5. Because Mr. Hillar never applied for a position as an employee of the Institute, serving only as an independent contractor retained to lead one one-credit workshop per semester, he was not subject to the pre-employment background check that the Institute requires of all regular employees, a category that includes all faculty and adjunct faculty.
6. The Institute was contacted by law enforcement regarding this matter and immediately offered its full cooperation.
STEPS TO BE TAKEN
As a result of these findings, the Institute will take the following specific steps going forward:
• The Institute will not contract for services with Bill Hillar.
• The Institute will require a full background check for any person who performs classroom instruction for academic credit at the Institute, regardless of the individual's employment status, effective immediately. Background checks for contracted workshop instructors will be carried out by the same third-party agency that currently conducts them for all regular and adjunct faculty hires at the Institute.
The Institute will offer to every student who has taken a workshop led by Mr. Hillar at the Monterey Institute two options. Affected students who met the academic requirements of the workshop may choose to allow the credit to stand on their academic record. Alternatively, they may request that the credit from the workshop be removed from their academic record, in which case they will be offered the opportunity to enroll in another one-credit workshop offered by the Institute at no additional cost. The Institute is in the process of identifying a qualified instructor to lead a human trafficking workshop in the spring 2011 semester, and will work to make this workshop available both on-site and online.
http://blogs.miis.edu/work/files/2010/11/Hillar-Statement-of-Findings.pdf
STATEMENT OF FINDINGS REGARDING BILL HILLAR
Central Coast News, KION46 / FOX35,
Posted: Nov 24, 2010 7:11 PM EST
Updated: Nov 24, 2010 8:54 PM EST
Posted: Nov 24, 2010 2:21 PM EST Updated: Jan 25, 2011 1:09 PM EST
STATEMENT OF FINDINGS REGARDING BILL HILLAR
MONTEREY, Calif.- Tuesday, the Monterey Institute of International Studies said it's one of several schools duped by a man who claims to be a decorated Green Beret.
It's focused on repairing a bruised reputation, and making good on its promises.
It's a story Central Coast News first told you about on Friday, "It's the ultimate kick in the stomach feeling...Everyone has been potentially taken for a ride," said President Sunder Ramaswamy.
Brian Hubbs and other students brought their research on Bill Hillar to President Ramaswamy's attention, he said at first the school was careful with the accusations, "If you look at the casual research of the web he is all over the place...figuring out what the quote, unquote truth was."
He became a believer in the students, "They deserve an enormous amount of credit, " and a disbeliever in Hillar, once the University of Oregon confirmed Hillar never received a PH.D there, "That's a big deal in academia," said Ramaswamy.
"We had tried to contact Mr. Hillar by UPS receipt mail so we know someone had received it, and we said here are some questions without impuning anything can you provide your side of the story and we gave him a time deadline and we haven't heard back from Mr. Hillar at all," said Ramaswamy.
Central Coast News has also tried calling Hillar several times, and Ramaswamy is not sure if anyone will ever hear from Hillar again, but said he's more worried about the students who have already taken his workshops.
"We will offer another workshop on site and also online, and we wont charge...And maybe not everybody wants to, as I said some people felt they got turned on to the topic, they can ignore the fact that he was an alleged charlatan," said Ramaswamy.
But Ramaswamy's biggest goal is to make sure this new piece of school history, doesn't repeat itself.
"We will do everything we can that the people were putting in front of you in the classroom live up to what they claim," said Ramaswamy.
The school said it changed policies to do background checks on all instructors, no matter how long they teach there.
About 800 students attend the school including military veterans and civilians.
United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland
January 25, 2011, Dept. of Justice Press Release, Millersville Man Charged in Fraud Case,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
January 25, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MILLERSVILLE MAN CHARGED IN FRAUD SCHEME
Allegedly Lied about Special Forces and Terrorism Experience in order to Gain Teaching Employment
Baltimore, Maryland - William G. Hillar, age 66, of Millersville, Maryland, has been charged by criminal complaint with mail fraud in connection with an alleged scheme to lie about his military experience and academic credentials in order to gain employment for teaching and training. The complaint was filed on January 21, 2011 and unsealed today upon his arrest.
Hillar had an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mildred Methvin in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Magistrate Judge Methvin ordered that Hillar be detained after he was unable to meet the conditions set by the Judge for his release, which include having a third party custodian and a secured $50,000 bond, among other conditions.
The complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Special Agent in Charge Robert Craig of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service - Mid-Atlantic Field Office.
"The complaint alleges that William G. Hillar was living a lie and basing his entire career on experience he did not have and credentials that he did not earn," said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. "He was never a colonel, never served in the U.S. Army, never was deployed to exotic locales and never received training in counter-terrorism and psychological warfare while in the armed forces."
"The information of Mr. Hillar's alleged fraud came to the FBI's attention from concerned citizens, including former members of the Special Forces community. This investigation is an example of the difficulty the public faces trying to verify the accuracy of information on the Internet," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely.
According to the affidavits in support of the complaint and search warrant, Hillar has been teaching, leading workshops, giving speeches and conducting training for public and private sector clients for at least the past 10 years under false pretenses. Hillar allegedly conducted training through a business named “Bill Hillar Training” that lists a residence on Old Orchard Circle in Millersville as its business address. An internet search conducted on November 22, 2010 on a website used by the business revealed that that website was no longer in operation. However, archived web pages were found which allegedly included a biography of Bill Hillar, courses taught, client testimonials, training for public occupations and contact information. All information had previously been posted on Hillar’s web page prior to the web site being taken down. That website allegedly contained a "Bio Info" page that stated "William G. Hillar is a retired Colonel of the U.S. Army Special Forces. He has served in Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America, where his diverse training and experiences included tactical counter-terrorism, explosive ordnance, emergency medicine and psychological warfare." It also stated that Hillar "holds a B.A. in Psychology, and M.A. in Education, a Ph.D. in Health Education, and an honorary Doctorate in Intercultural Relations."
The supporting affidavits further allege that a search of military and civilian records for Hillar in November 2010 revealed that Hillar had not served with the U.S. Army, but rather was an enlisted sailor in the U.S. Coast Guard reserves from 1962 to 1970, achieving the rate of Radarman 3. During that time, Hillar was never deployed at the locations stated on his website, nor was Hillar given any Coast Guard training in tactical counter-terrorism, explosive ordnance, emergency medicine and psychological warfare. Hillar attended the University of Oregon from 1970 to 1973, but was not awarded a Ph.D.
The affidavits further allege that most recently, since the spring of 2005, Hillar taught 12 courses/workshops at an institute for international studies in California. One such workshop was titled "Tactical Counter Terrorism." The institute's official who hired Hillar allegedly did so based upon Hillar's purported work experience and academic credentials as falsely stated on the website. The institute paid Hillar by mailing checks totaling $32,300 to Hillar's home address in Millersville. In November 2010, the institute offered free substitute courses to all students who had taken courses taught by Hillar.
According to the affidavits, evidence indicates Hillar has been paid more than $100,000 in the course of the scheme by a variety of public and private institutions, including law enforcement agencies.
Hillar faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
A complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Leo Wise, who is prosecuting the case.
HOME
March 29, 2011, Dept. of Justice Press Release, MILLERSVILLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO POSING AS A RETIRED ARMY SPECIAL FORCES COLONEL
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
March 29, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MILLERSVILLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO POSING AS A RETIRED ARMY SPECIAL FORCES COLONEL
Lied for 12 Years About Special Forces and Terrorism Experience to Gain Teaching Employment;
Agrees to Pay $171,415 in Restitution and Perform 500 Hours of Community Service at the Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries
Baltimore, Maryland - William G. Hillar, age 66, of Millersville, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud in connection with a scheme to lie about his military experience and academic credentials in order to gain employment for teaching and training.
The plea agreement was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Special Agent in Charge Robert Craig of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service - Mid-Atlantic Field Office.
"William G. Hillar lived a lie and based his teaching career on military experience he did not have and credentials that he did not earn," said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. "He was never a colonel, never served in the U.S. Army or the Special Forces, never was deployed to exotic locales and never received training in counter-terrorism and psychological warfare while in the armed forces."
"Mr. Hillar's fraudulent representations came to the FBI's attention from concerned citizens, including former members of the Special Forces community. This investigation is an example of the difficulty the public faces trying to verify the accuracy of information on the Internet," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely.
"The Defense Criminal Investigative Service is committed to supporting America's warfighters and protecting the interest of the American taxpayers," said Robert Craig, Special Agent in Charge for the DCIS Mid-Atlantic Field Office. "The service members that comprise the Department of Defense's elite special warfare units have undergone years of specialized training and sacrifice to be called Special Forces. To misuse their titles for personal gain is unconscionable and discredits those that served and continue to serve the United States of America."
According to Hillar's plea agreement, from around 1998 to 2010, private and public sector organizations paid Hillar at least $171,415 for teaching, leading workshops, giving speeches and conducting training on counter terrorism, drugs trafficking, human trafficking and related topics. Hillar conducted these activities through a business named "Bill Hillar Training."
In order to secure these employments, Hillar falsely represented in resumes, biographical statements and on the Internet that: "William G. Hillar is a retired Colonel of the U.S. Army Special Forces. He has served in Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America, where his diverse training and experiences included tactical counter-terrorism, explosive ordnance, emergency medicine and psychological warfare." Hillar also represented that he received a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon.
Hillar never served in the U.S. Army or the Special Forces and never attained the rank of Colonel. Hillar never served in Asia, the Middle East and Central and South America, and did not acquire in those locales training and experiences in counter-terrorism, explosive ordnance, emergency medicine and psychological warfare. Hillar did serve in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve as an enlisted sailor from 1962 to 1970, achieving the rate of Radarman, Petty Officer Third Class.
Hillar faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of his plea agreement, Hillar has agreed to pay restitution of $171,415, and perform no less than 500 community hours at the Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries. U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. scheduled sentencing for July 20, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Leo Wise, who is prosecuting the case.
HOME
August 30, 2011, Dept. of Justice Press Release,MILLERSVILLE MAN SENTENCED FOR POSING AS A RETIRED ARMY SPECIAL FORCES COLONEL,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
August 30, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md
MILLERSVILLE MAN SENTENCED FOR POSING AS A RETIRED ARMY SPECIAL FORCES COLONEL
Lied for 12 Years About Special Forces and Terrorism Experience to Gain Teaching Employment; Also Fabricated a Story of His Daughter’s Kidnapping and Murder by Sex Traffickers
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced William G. Hillar, age 66, of Millersville, Maryland, today to 21 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for wire fraud in connection with a scheme to lie about his military experience and academic credentials in order to gain employment for teaching and training. Judge Quarles also ordered Hillar to pay restitution of $171,415 and perform 500 community hours at the Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Special Agent in Charge Robert Craig of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service - Mid-Atlantic Field Office.
"William G. Hillar claimed that he had earned praise as a hero, but the truth is that he deserves condemnation as a liar," said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. "He did not serve in the U.S. Army, did not receive military training in counter-terrorism and psychological warfare, and did not lose his daughter to sex traffickers."
"Mr. Hillar's fraudulent representations came to the FBI's attention from concerned citizens, including former members of the Special Forces community. This investigation is an example of the difficulty the public faces trying to verify the accuracy of information on the Internet," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely.
"The Defense Criminal Investigative Service is committed to supporting America's warfighters and protecting the interest of the American taxpayers," said Robert Craig, Special Agent in Charge for the DCIS Mid-Atlantic Field Office. "The service members that comprise the Department of Defense's elite special warfare units have undergone years of specialized training and sacrifice to be called Special Forces. To misuse their titles for personal gain is unconscionable and discredits those that served and continue to serve the United States of America."
According to Hillar's plea agreement, from around 1998 to 2010, private and public sector organizations paid Hillar at least $171,415 for teaching, leading workshops, giving speeches and conducting training on counter terrorism, drugs trafficking, human trafficking and related topics. Hillar conducted these activities through a business named "Bill Hillar Training." According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, most of Hillar’s victims were military, law enforcement or first responder organizations.
In order to secure employment with these organizations, Hillar falsely represented in resumes, biographical statements and on the Internet that: "William G. Hillar is a retired Colonel of the U.S. Army Special Forces. He has served in Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America, where his diverse training and experiences included tactical counter-terrorism, explosive ordnance, emergency medicine and psychological warfare." Hillar also represented that he received a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon.
Hillar never served in the U.S. Army or the Special Forces and never attained the rank of Colonel. Hillar never served in Asia, the Middle East and Central and South America, and did not acquire in those locales training and experiences in counter-terrorism, explosive ordnance, emergency medicine and psychological warfare. Hillar did serve in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve as an enlisted sailor from 1962 to 1970, achieving the rate of Radarman, Petty Officer Third Class. According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, the organizations that Hillar purported to train exercise critical public safety and national security functions, and require ongoing training and education in order to respond to new and changing threats. Hillar, who was not qualified, displaced qualified teachers and trainers, thereby putting members of our military, law enforcement and first responders at risk.
Moreover, the government's sentencing memorandum states that Hillar fabricated a gruesome tale that his own daughter had been kidnaped, forced into sex slavery, sodomized and tortured before being hacked to death with machetes and thrown into the sea. He further claimed that this experience and his life story was the basis for the 2008 film "Taken". The significant press attention that film generated, in turn, generated free press for Hillar. Hillar admits that he fabricated the story about his daughter, who was alive and well.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service for their work in the investigation, and thanked Assistant United States Attorney Leo Wise, who prosecuted the case.
HOME
February 2010, Issue No. 217, Homeland Security Report, [By Anthony M. Davis]
Who Are You Paying to Train Your Staff? Are They Legit
A few months ago I received an email from a woman I know in the Pacific Northwest. Last year I interviewed her for my upcoming book on Human Trafficking. I trust her intuition since she knows about trafficking…she was a trafficking victim for five years. In her email she asked me what I thought of a man named Bill Hillar. According to the email, some believe he is a fraud. I explained I hadn’t heard of him but would certainly look into it. It didn’t take too long to find this man has a questionable history. Fortunately, my work was made easier by some who had already taken up the mission to discover who he really is.
Bill Hillar claimed he is retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel. He also claimed the movie, "Taken" is based upon his own life story when his daughter was kidnapped, forced into trafficking and then murdered. Using this story he established himself as a expert and began a teaching/public speaking business. There's good money in public speaking…it's just important if the words are true.
Evidence obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) shows those claims fail to align with the facts. Official documentation shows that Hillar was never a member of the Army, thereby certainly not a member of the Special Forces…and therefore never a Colonel. Additional information obtained through FOIA shows that Hillar's only military service was that of an enlisted US Coast Guard Reservist. The online documentation, including the FOIA information and his online claims are available at the link below. While portions of this article are drawn from a previous post on my http://www.notrafficking.com site, you can see the actual FOIA paperwork and claims by Mr. Hillar on his (now defunct) website. Here’s the link to the original article I wrote on this: http://tinyurl.com/4vmo6h8
Now here’s the point to this article: How many times have you attended a training conference in your career? I would bet a few times if you've been around awhile. Ok. How many times has your agency had plenty of funds to send you or your co-workers? I would bet few if any. It doesn't matter if you're in the Law Enforcement, Security, Military, Response or Intel business. Your training is budgeted and some get to go...others don't. Good training costs money. One thing I saw after 9/11 was that folks were coming out of the woodwork to offer training. I personally question if (for many) their motivation was anything beyond a financial gain paid for by grant monies.
Certainly there are folks out there that recognize shortfalls in LE training and want to make a difference. That's great and in my book I discuss the importance of getting folks trained using cooperative funding. Yet, it is still a necessity to ensure that those standing before you are real.
Next question: Of the training conferences you have attended, how many of the presenters were adequately vetted? Not based on what the presenter said...but on the facts? In the case of this guy, Bill Hillar, he taught at universities, claiming a PhD...yet, it now appears he had no degree. He taught at State, Local and Federally funded conferences, including the FBI National Academy, DEA and a whole host of other well paying forums. Initial information shows that Mr. Hillar earned in excess of $100,000 dollars in speaking fees. That’s money that your agency paid for, along with taxpayers that trust us to make good decisions.
Last week Bill Hillar was arrested in Maryland on suspicion of fraud. While he has yet to be convicted, we can't officially state the obvious. Oh yeah...by the way. Remember his daughter that was kidnapped and murdered? It appears that she is alive and well.
My recommendation to agencies from here out regarding the hiring of speakers: Check them out. Doing so will prevent agencies from hiring unqualified presenters and will enforce a policy of good financial stewardship. One more thing that worries me. Go to any LE conference and during a break you’ll hear members of the audience talking with the presenters. That's fine. However, if paid speakers are not who they say they are, they could likely become a CI threat to your agency.
November 20, 2010, No Trafficking.com Blog, Human Trafficking Hero…or FRAUD? By Anthony M. Davis,
About a week ago I received an email from a woman I know in the Pacific Northwest. Last year I interviewed her for my upcoming book on Human Trafficking. I trust her intuition since she knows about trafficking…she was a trafficking victim for five years. In her email she asked me what I thought of a man named Bill Hillar. According to the email, some believe he is a fraud. I explained that I hadn’t heard of him but would certainly look into it. It didn’t take too long to find this man has a questionable history. Fortunately, my work was made easier by some who had already taken up the mission to discover who he really is.
Bill Hillar claims he is retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel. He also claims the movie, "Taken" is based upon his own life story when his daughter was kidnapped, forced into trafficking and then murdered. Using this story he established himself as a expert and began a teaching/public speaking business. There's good money in public speaking…it’s just important if the words are true.
Paperwork obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) shows there is "No Record" of his affiliation with the Army. (Click this link to see the Army letter). The next question is whether he has any military service. Once again, using information through FOIA records it shows he served as a U.S. Coast Guard Reservist from 1962 to 1970. (see link here.) Given that, the question continues. Did Bill Hillar actually claim these things or did someone say that he presented himself as a US Army Colonel?
Bill Hillar maintained a website (www.billhillartraining.com). Yet, around the time that people began questioning his status as either a hero or a liar, his website was taken down. Yet, once on the Internet…always on the Internet.This link is an archive of his biography from his website. Looking further, it appears that he had Elon University scammed into believing his story. On November 12th, he was honored by the university as a "Hometown Hero" by being a person that "makes a difference." Here is a link to the Elon University story. It's clear that Bill Hillar presented himself as someone other than who he actually is.
Over the years, Hillar developed a good business teaching and speaking. He lives in Carmel, California…not a cheap living. Here is a list of public corporations, universities, agencies and businesses that Bill Hillar claims to have as clients. These are companies with funds able to pay well for speaking and training events. (See link here.) Additionally, he lists a variety of law enforcement clients. It’s usually a bad idea to defraud anyone. Yet, when you stand before law enforcement professionals who are paid with limited public funding and defraud them…that’s really dumb. Given that these training sessions were paid for with public funds, all of us become victims as our taxes subsidized his income. (Here’s the link to law enforcement and other high risk clients.)
So…what about the murdered daughter? I know that Hillar established an essay award in the name of his dead daughter, Sale Hillar. More information about the award, including a chance to read two well-written essays by contestants are available HERE. If Hillar’s daughter was a trafficking victim, that’s a horrible thing. Yet, while I've not verified this, it appears that his daughter may be alive and well in North Carolina.
His students at the Monterey Institute of International Studies feel cheated and rightfully so. We live in a world where our young adults should have legitimate mentors, willing to guide them to a life of success – not show them that those who stood before them telling (and showing emotion) during his stories are liars. Yesterday the news story broke in California. (Click HERE for the story and news video.)
It's too early to say how this will end. Yet, I would not be surprised to see it snowball into a complete web of lies. Last year I had the privilege to help expose a "Medal of Honor" fraud. In that case the individual continued changing his story and resume as he was challenged. His educational bonafides changed with the weather and it was eventually turned over to authorities. My guess is this case will operate along a similar path of deceit.
Because he has not been charged or convicted, we can't legally call the man a fraud. Yet, the facts are clear as we know them. I contacted him for an interview. I've had no reply. If charged, this man could obviously face fraud charges. Additionally, if proven that funds obtained through fraudulent activities purchased property of any tangible value that could open the doors to money laundering or conspiracy if tied with any accomplice and ultimately asset forfeiture and incarceration.
If the allegations are proven true, this man will have earned a living on the backs of those millions of victims each year that suffer as slaves in the sex and labor trades. Shameful.
August 30, 2011, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maryland, Press Release, Millersville Man Sentenced for Posing as a Retired Army Special Forces,
Colonel Lied for 12 Years about Special Forces and Terrorism Experience to Gain Teaching Employment; Also Fabricated a Story of His Daughter’s Kidnapping and Murder by Sex Traffickers
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced William G. Hillar, age 66, of Millersville, Maryland, today to 21 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for wire fraud in connection with a scheme to lie about his military experience and academic credentials in order to gain employment for teaching and training. Judge Quarles also ordered Hillar to pay restitution of $171,415 and perform 500 community hours at the Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Special Agent in Charge Robert Craig of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service - Mid-Atlantic Field Office.
―William G. Hillar claimed that he had earned praise as a hero, but the truth is that he deserves condemnation as a liar, said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.
―He did not serve in the U.S. Army, did not receive military training in counterterrorism and psychological warfare, and did not lose his daughter to sex traffickers.
―Mr. Hillar’s fraudulent representations came to the FBI’s attention from concerned citizens, including former members of the Special Forces community.
This investigation is an example of the difficulty the public faces trying to verify the accuracy of information on the Internet, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely.
―The Defense Criminal Investigative Service is committed to supporting America’s warfighters and protecting the interest of the American taxpayers, said Robert Craig, Special Agent in Charge for the DCIS Mid-Atlantic Field Office. ―The service members that comprise the Department of Defense's elite special warfare units have undergone years of specialized training and sacrifice to be called Special Forces. To misuse their titles for personal gain is unconscionable and discredits those that served and continue to serve the United States of America.
According to Hillar’s plea agreement, from around 1998 to 2010, private and public sector organizations paid Hillar at least $171,415 for teaching, leading workshops, giving speeches and conducting training on counter terrorism, drugs trafficking, human trafficking and related topics. Hillar conducted these activities through a business named ―Bill Hillar Training. According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, most of Hillar's victims were military, law enforcement or first responder organizations.
In order to secure employment with these organizations, Hillar falsely represented in resumes, biographical statements and on the Internet that:
―William G. Hillar is a retired Colonel of the U.S. Army Special Forces. He has served in Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America, where his diverse training and experiences included tactical counter-terrorism, explosive ordnance, emergency medicine and psychological warfare.
Hillar also represented that he received a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. Hillar never served in the U.S. Army or the Special Forces and never attained the rank of Colonel. Hillar never served in Asia, the Middle East and Central and South America, and did not acquire in those locales training and experiences in counter-terrorism, explosive ordnance, emergency medicine and psychological warfare. Hillar did serve in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve as an enlisted sailor from 1962 to 1970, achieving the rate of Radarman, Petty Officer Third Class.
According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, the organizations that Hillar purported to train exercise critical public safety and national security functions, and require ongoing training and education in order to respond to new and changing threats. Hillar, who was not qualified, displaced qualified teachers and trainers, thereby putting members of our military, law enforcement and first responders at risk.
Moreover, the government’s sentencing memorandum states that Hillar fabricated a gruesome tale that his own daughter had been kidnapped, forced into sex slavery, sodomized and tortured before being hacked to death with machetes and thrown into the sea. He further claimed that this experience and his life story was the basis for the 2008 film ―Taken. The significant press attention that film generated, in turn, generated free press for Hillar. Hillar admits that he fabricated the story about his daughter, who was alive and well.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service for their work in the investigation, and thanked Assistant United States Attorney Leo Wise, who prosecuted the case.
http://www.partneringforcompliance.org/documents/FBI_Tampa_CI_Strategic_Partnership_0911.pdf
FBI Tampa Strategic Partnership Newsletter,
NEWSLETTER EDITOR COMMENT: Though not a counterintelligence or even a national security case, this still shows the importance of properly and thoroughly vetting the individuals you allow into your workplaces. If you truly don’t know someone’s true background, even if they are wearing a uniform, validate (JPAS, Credentials, Badges, etc. If in doubt, call the organization they claim to represent to validate.)
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md
Thank you for visiting the website for the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland. The system of justice that U.S. Attorneys and federal judges represent is one of the most enduring symbols of freedom in the world. I am enormously proud of the remarkable work performed by the men and women of the U.S. Attorney's Office. Their commitment to excellence, integrity and achievement contributes substantially to the safety and welfare of our citizens.
The U.S. Attorney's Office works cooperatively with our partners in federal, state and local law enforcement to promote the rule of law, punish criminals, deter crime and safeguard the money and property of the United States. We seek to inspire public trust and confidence by adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards as we pursue justice in each case.
Rod J. Rosenstein
United States Attorney
District of Maryland
If you have information about corruption in Maryland, please call the FBI at (410) 265-8080, send an email message to Baltimore@ic.fbi.gov or fill out a tip form on the internet at https://tips.fbi.gov/. You may request confidentiality if you do not want your name to be disclosed.
January 25, 2011, Dept. of Justice Press Release, SF Colonel Takes Guilty Plea,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
January 25, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MILLERSVILLE MAN CHARGED IN FRAUD SCHEME
Allegedly Lied about Special Forces and Terrorism Experience in order to Gain Teaching Employment
Baltimore, Maryland - William G. Hillar, age 66, of Millersville, Maryland, has been charged by criminal complaint with mail fraud in connection with an alleged scheme to lie about his military experience and academic credentials in order to gain employment for teaching and training. The complaint was filed on January 21, 2011 and unsealed today upon his arrest.
Hillar had an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mildred Methvin in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Magistrate Judge Methvin ordered that Hillar be detained after he was unable to meet the conditions set by the Judge for his release, which include having a third party custodian and a secured $50,000 bond, among other conditions.
The complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Special Agent in Charge Robert Craig of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service - Mid-Atlantic Field Office.
"The complaint alleges that William G. Hillar was living a lie and basing his entire career on experience he did not have and credentials that he did not earn," said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. "He was never a colonel, never served in the U.S. Army, never was deployed to exotic locales and never received training in counter-terrorism and psychological warfare while in the armed forces."
"The information of Mr. Hillar's alleged fraud came to the FBI's attention from concerned citizens, including former members of the Special Forces community. This investigation is an example of the difficulty the public faces trying to verify the accuracy of information on the Internet," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely.
According to the affidavits in support of the complaint and search warrant, Hillar has been teaching, leading workshops, giving speeches and conducting training for public and private sector clients for at least the past 10 years under false pretenses. Hillar allegedly conducted training through a business named “Bill Hillar Training” that lists a residence on Old Orchard Circle in Millersville as its business address. An internet search conducted on November 22, 2010 on a website used by the business revealed that that website was no longer in operation. However, archived web pages were found which allegedly included a biography of Bill Hillar, courses taught, client testimonials, training for public occupations and contact information. All information had previously been posted on Hillar’s web page prior to the web site being taken down. That website allegedly contained a "Bio Info" page that stated "William G. Hillar is a retired Colonel of the U.S. Army Special Forces. He has served in Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America, where his diverse training and experiences included tactical counter-terrorism, explosive ordnance, emergency medicine and psychological warfare." It also stated that Hillar "holds a B.A. in Psychology, and M.A. in Education, a Ph.D. in Health Education, and an honorary Doctorate in Intercultural Relations."
The supporting affidavits further allege that a search of military and civilian records for Hillar in November 2010 revealed that Hillar had not served with the U.S. Army, but rather was an enlisted sailor in the U.S. Coast Guard reserves from 1962 to 1970, achieving the rate of Radarman 3. During that time, Hillar was never deployed at the locations stated on his website, nor was Hillar given any Coast Guard training in tactical counter-terrorism, explosive ordnance, emergency medicine and psychological warfare. Hillar attended the University of Oregon from 1970 to 1973, but was not awarded a Ph.D.
The affidavits further allege that most recently, since the spring of 2005, Hillar taught 12 courses/workshops at an institute for international studies in California. One such workshop was titled "Tactical Counter Terrorism." The institute’s official who hired Hillar allegedly did so based upon Hillar's purported work experience and academic credentials as falsely stated on the website. The institute paid Hillar by mailing checks totaling $32,300 to Hillar’s home address in Millersville. In November 2010, the institute offered free substitute courses to all students who had taken courses taught by Hillar.
According to the affidavits, evidence indicates Hillar has been paid more than $100,000 in the course of the scheme by a variety of public and private institutions, including law enforcement agencies.
Hillar faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
A complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorney Leo Wise, who is prosecuting the case.
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January 25, 2011, Monterey Institute of International Studies Press Release, Monterey Institute Comments on Arrest of Bill Hillar,
Posted at The Daily Record,
Monterey Institute of International Studies
A Graduate School of Middlebury College
Monterey Institute Comments on Arrest of Bill Hillar
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2011 (831) 647-3516
Contact: Jason Warburg
jason.warburg@miis.edu
Monterey Institute Comments on Arrest of Bill Hillar
Former Workshop Leader Misrepresented Credentials to Schools, Agencies Across U.S.
The Monterey Institute of International Studies learned this morning that Bill Hillar has been taken into custody by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
When first contacted by the FBI regarding Hillar in November, the Institute offered its immediate and full cooperation, providing extensive documentation and research compiled in the course of its own review of Hillar’s background and credentials, which was already underway at the time.
Over the past decade, Hillar led workshops and seminars for educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and law enforcement groups across the nation (see attached client list, taken from billhillartraining.com when that site was still active). Hillar led two one-credit, 15-hour workshops per year at the Institute between 2005 and 2010.
In November 2010, Monterey Institute students raised questions regarding Hillar’s claims that he had served in the U.S. Army Special Forces. At approximately the same time, the Institute became aware of postings on the Web site professionalsoldiers.com that raised similar questions.
These questions triggered an investigation by the school, which included a formal request of Hillar that he provide supporting documentation verifying his military and academic credentials. Hillar did not respond to this request. At the conclusion of its internal investigation, the Institute issued a finding that Hillar had misrepresented his academic credentials, claiming a doctorate from the University of Oregon that the university confirmed he never received.
Because Hillar provided his services to the Institute as an independent contractor and never applied for a position as an employee of the Institute, he was not subject to the pre-employment background checks that the Institute requires of all regular employees, including all faculty members.
As a result of this incident, the Institute has extended the requirement for a full preengagement background check to any person who provides classroom instruction for academic credit at the Institute, regardless of their employment status. The Institute has also offered affected students and alumni the opportunity to enroll in an equivalent onecredit workshop offered by the Institute at no additional cost. "Our focus now is on taking positive steps moving forward—tightening our policies, addressing the concerns of our students annd alumni, and cooperating with law enforcement officials and similarly affected institutions and organizations," said Monterey Institute of International Studies President Sunder Ramaswamy.
# # #
The Monterey Institute of International Studies, a graduate school of Middlebury College, has been preparing graduate professionals for global careers in the private, public, nonprofit and educational sectors since 1955. Located in Monterey, Calif., the Institute offers advanced degrees in international policy studies, translation and interpretation, international environmental policy, language teaching, and international business, as well as a variety of specialized certificates and programs. The Institute, whose approximately 800 students come from more than 60 countries, is also home to the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. In July 2010, the Monterey Institute became a graduate school of Middlebury College, one of nation’s leading liberal arts colleges.
Client List
This list reflects approximately the last five years.
CALIFORNIA
Federal Executive Board of Greater Los Angeles
California Fire Chiefs Association (CFCA)
California State Firefighters Association
GEORGIA
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
IDAHO
Idaho Falls Police Department
ILLINOIS
Illinois Drug Enforcement Officers Association
MONTANA
Montana Sheriffs' and Peace Officers' Association
OREGON
Southwest Oregon Fire Instructors Association
Crime Prevention Association of Oregon (CPAO)
Oregon State Law Enforcement and Data Systems (LEDS)
UTAH
West Valley City Police Department
Utah Fire and Rescue Academy
WASHINGTON
Shoreline Fire Department
Tukwila Fire Department
King County Fire Training Officers
REGIONAL
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - Region X
Homeland Security and Defense Education Western Conference
Western Fire Chiefs & FEMA Directors
FEDERAL
Angeles National Forest
FBI Intermountain Executive Command College
FBI National Academy Graduates Association
National Crime and Information Center (NCIC) State Training and Audit Resources (STARS)
U.S. Army Evaluation Center
U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground
U.S. Forest Service, Law Enforcement Division
The International Justice and Public Safety Network (Nlets)
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
University of Oregon - Substance Abuse Prevention Program (SAPP)
Monterey Institute of International Studies - Graduate School of International Policy Studies
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Utah Valley State College - Winter Fire School
Anne Arundel Community College (Maryland)
College of Southern Maryland - Corporate & Community Training Institute
ORGANIZATIONS
Stop Trafficking of Persons (S.T.O.P.)
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
Greek Life, University of Oregon
October 27, 2010, Dept. of the Army, F.O.I.L. Response,
F.O.I.L. Response, United States Coast Guard,
Shauna Kelly and Melissa Booth win Anti-Human Trafficking Essay Contest!
Posted in May 3, 2010 ¬ 9:00 amh.GSIPMNo Comments
GSIPM is pleased to announce Shauna Kelly and Melissa Booth as co-winners of the essay contest on anti-human trafficking. Each student won a prize if $750, contributed by Professor Peter Grothe. The prizes were dedicated in memory of Sale Hillar, the late daughter of Professor Bill Hillar, who was killed by traffickers in Southeast Asia. Professor Hillar teaches a popular workshop on anti-human trafficking every year.
Want to read the winning essays? Check them out: Shauna Kelly and Melissa Booth
Fellowships and Scholarships, NewsScholarship
[undated] Message to Monterey Institute Alumni- Bill Hillar,
To all Monterey Institute alumni:
From President Sunder Ramaswamy
and Provost Amy Sands
We recently completed a process of intensive research and consultation after learning of potential issues regarding the academic and military credentials presented to the Institute by one of our workshop instructors, Mr. Bill Hillar.
Our findings in this matter included that Mr. Hillar claimed an academic credential on his resume (a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon) that he did not in fact earn, and that the Institute has been unable to substantiate the military service claimed by Mr. Hillar.
Because Mr. Hillar never applied for a position as an employee of the Institute, serving only as an independent contractor retained to lead a single three-day, one-credit workshop per semester, he was not subject to the pre-employment background checks that the Institute requires of all regular employees, a category that includes all faculty and adjunct faculty. As a result of this incident, the Institute has made the decision to extend the requirement for a full pre-engagement background check to any person who provides classroom instruction for academic credit at the Monterey Institute, regardless of their employment status. This change in policy is effective immediately.
Although the issues regarding Mr. Hillar’s misrepresentations have no impact on a student’s degree, as a result of our findings, the Institute will offer affected alumni the opportunity to enroll in another one-credit workshop offered by the Institute at no cost. The Institute is in the process of identifying qualified instructors to lead workshops in each of the two topics—human trafficking and tactical counterterrorism—that were the subject of previous workshops led by Mr. Hillar. We will work to make these workshops available both on-site and online. (Alumni choosing to take another workshop(s) should contact Tate Miller, Dean of Advising, Career and Student Services, at tate.miller@miis.edu by December 14.)
We want to assure you that our review process in this matter has been both very thorough and conducted as expeditiously as possible under the circumstances. Those circumstances have included both extensive research and information-sharing with similarly affected institutions, and active cooperation with law enforcement.
The public record suggests that a number of agencies and institutions across the country, including law enforcement and other government agencies, non-profits, and educational institutions, have been similarly affected by Mr. Hillar’s actions. Nonetheless, the ultimate responsibility for the quality and integrity of the instruction received at the Monterey Institute of International Studies rests with us. We deeply regret this incident and offer our sincere apologies to the students, alumni, faculty, and staff who have been affected by it.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we want to express our profound personal gratitude to the students who brought these issues to the administration’s attention. We are proud of the integrity they have displayed through their actions, and proud that they, and you, chose the Monterey Institute of International Studies.
November 20, 2010, Monterey Institute Reviews Former Instructors Credentials
Posted: Nov 20, 2010 8:20 PM EST, Updated: Jan 25, 2011 1:09 PM EST
Monterey Institute Review Finds Workshop Leader Misrepresented His Academic Credentials
MIIS Has Been Cooperating with Other Affected Organizations and Law Enforcement
Monterey, CA – The Monterey Institute of International Studies announced today that it has concluded its review of issues regarding former workshop instructor Bill Hillar with the finding that Hillar misrepresented his academic credentials to the Institute.
Hillar, who over the past decade has been contracted by government and non-profit agencies, as well as educational institutions across the country to lecture and lead workshops, claimed in a resume and biographical sketch submitted to the Institute to be "a retired colonel of the U.S. Army Special Forces" and to have earned a Ph.D. at the University of Oregon.
The Institute's review found that Mr. Hillar had not earned a Ph.D. at the University of Oregon, and the Institute has been unable to obtain any military records that substantiate Hillar's claims regarding his military service. Hillar has not responded to requests from the Institute to provide supporting documentation for the credentials claimed on his resume.
Hillar was initially contracted with to lead a 15-hour, three-day, one-credit workshop at the Institute in spring 2005, and has led one workshop per semester since then. He most recently led a workshop on human trafficking on October 8th through 10th. Because Hillar never applied for a position as a faculty member at the Institute, serving only as an independent contractor retained to lead a single three-day workshop per semester, he was not subject to the pre-employment background checks that the Institute requires of all employees, including all faculty and adjunct faculty.
Workshop instructors who are independent contractors typically come to the attention of the academic administration through recommendations from students or faculty, and a resume, proposed syllabus, and a list of references would generally be considered sufficient for retention of an independent contractor. The Institute believes this is a fairly typical process among higher education institutions across the country when retaining instructors on very short-term contracts to lead two- or three-day workshops.
However, as a result of this incident, the Institute has extended the requirement for a full pre-engagement background check to any person who provides classroom instruction for academic credit at the Monterey Institute, regardless of their employment status. This change in policy is effective immediately.
In addition, the Institute will offer to every student who has taken a workshop led by Hillar at the Monterey Institute two options. Affected students who met the academic requirements of the workshop may choose to allow the credit to stand on their academic record. Alternatively, they may request that the credit from the workshop be removed from their academic record, in which case they will be offered the opportunity to enroll in another one-credit workshop offered by the Institute at no additional cost. The Institute is in the process of identifying a qualified instructor to lead a human trafficking workshop in the spring 2011 semester, and will work to make this workshop available both on-site and online.
"For the past two weeks we have been engaged in a proactive, intensive effort to look into this matter," said Monterey Institute President Sunder Ramaswamy. "We believed it was essential to gather as much information as possible in order to get at the truth before arriving at any conclusions publicly. We have been engaged in extensive research and information-sharing with similarly affected institutions, and active cooperation with law enforcement and other appropriate agencies."
The public record suggests that a substantial number of agencies and institutions across the country, including law enforcement and other government agencies, non-profits, and educational institutions, have been similarly affected by Mr. Hillar's actions.
"Nonetheless," stated Ramaswamy, "The ultimate responsibility for the quality and integrity of the instruction received at the Monterey Institute rests with us. We deeply regret this incident and offer our sincere apologies to the students, alumni, faculty, and staff who have been affected by it. We also want to express our profound gratitude to the students who brought these issues to the administration's attention. We are very proud of the integrity they have displayed through their actions."
The Institute's 11 degree programs include master's degrees in international policy studies and nonproliferation and terrorism studies, as well as international business, international environmental policy, and language translation, interpretation, and teaching. Most regular courses at the Institute are worth four credits and last through a full 15-week semester. Workshops are one-credit, 15-hour electives that are typically completed over a single weekend, and are not normally required in order to complete a degree. Currently, most workshops at the Institute are led by regular or adjunct faculty.
Title 18 Part I Chapter 63
§ 1341 18 USC § 1341 - FRAUDS AND SWINDLES
Whoever, having devised or intending to devise any scheme or artifice to defraud, or for obtaining money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, or to sell, dispose of, loan, exchange, alter, give away, distribute, supply, or furnish or procure for unlawful use any counterfeit or spurious coin, obligation, security, or other article, or anything represented to be or intimated or held out to be such counterfeit or spurious article, for the purpose of executing such scheme or artifice or attempting so to do, places in any post office or authorized depository for mail matter, any matter or thing whatever to be sent or delivered by the Postal Service, or deposits or causes to be deposited any matter or thing whatever to be sent or delivered by any private or commercial interstate carrier, or takes or receives therefrom, any such matter or thing, or knowingly causes to be delivered by mail or such carrier according to the direction thereon, or at the place at which it is directed to be delivered by the person to whom it is addressed, any such matter or thing, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. If the violation occurs in relation to, or involving any benefit authorized, transported, transmitted, transferred, disbursed, or paid in connection with, a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency (as those terms are defined in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.5122)), or affects a financial institution, such person shall be fined not more than $1,000,000 or imprisoned not more than 30 years, or both.
Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009, The Monterey Institute of International Studies has appointed Jason Warburg as the new executive director of communications for MIIS.
MONTEREY, Calif. – January 21, 2009 – The Monterey Institute of International Studies has appointed Jason Warburg as the new executive director of communications for MIIS. With over 20 years of experience in communications and government relations, Mr. Warburg will act as the primary communications strategist and chief spokesperson for the Institute.
"It's a wonderful opportunity to support an organization that is making a difference in the world, and whose reach and impact is truly global at a time when the world is growing smaller every day," said Warburg. “MIIS is an amazing place that’s full of potential stories to tell.”
Warburg began his career in the Washington office of California Congressman Mel Levine and subsequently served for five years as a senior policy and communications advisor to California Lt. Governor Leo McCarthy in Sacramento, staffing the Lt. Governor’s work on the UC Board of Regents and the CSU Board of Trustees.
More recently, Mr. Warburg was vice president of public affairs at EdFund of California, a non-profit corporation and the nation’s second largest student loan guarantee services provider. At EdFund he counseled the president on communications strategy and managed one of the leading consumer-focused public information programs in the student financial aid arena.
Warburg earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California at Davis, and a master’s degree from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.
Now with the Monterey Institute of International Studies, Warburg will develop comprehensive communications strategies to support the Institute’s marketing, student recruitment, community relations, advocacy, fundraising, and research.
For more information about MIIS please call 831-647-4100 or visit www.miis.edu.
###About Monterey Institute of International Studies
The Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS), an affiliate of Middlebury College, is a private graduate institution located in Monterey, CA. It is at the forefront of international professional education, preparing students for global careers in the private, public, nonprofit, and educational sectors. MIIS also offers graduate degrees in translation and interpretation, international policy studies, international trade policy, international environmental policy, business administration, and language teaching. MIIS has approximately 800 students from nearly 70 countries
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