The woman who busted Alvarez
The Washington Times writes about the woman who outed now-famous poser Xavier Alvarez, the subject of the Stolen Valor Act case on the docket of the US Supreme Court (US v. Alvarez). Melissa Campbell is a former active duty Marine herself and in the conduct of her duties as an event planner at the Southern California Edison’s Big Creek power plant, she encountered Alvarez who obviously was using his fraud to impress the young lady;
Finally, upon overhearing Mr. Alvarez boast of his many killings while in the military, including some involving children, Ms. Campbell said, she couldn’t help but interrupt.
“He’s speaking for my Marine Corps,” she recalled thinking.
At first, she said, she asked him from which base he retired. She said Mr. Alvarez said that he had retired from Camp Pendleton as “Delta,” or Special Operations Delta Force. To Ms. Campbell, the answer didn’t make sense.
She asked again in a different way, noting that as sergeant major in the Marine Corps, his retirement would have been a big deal.
That’s when Mr. Alvarez wouldn’t answer any more of her questions, she said.
“He looked at me and he said, ‘Ms. Campbell, I know what you’re doing, and I don’t like it,’ ” she said.
With a handful of people in the room, she responded before walking out of the room.
“Mr. Alvarez,” she recalled saying, “I know what you’re doing, and I don’t like it.”
Then she reported the incident to the FBI who then uncovered the statements he made at a political event about having served in the Marines for 25 years and being awarded the Medal of Honor by Ronald Reagan for which he was convicted under provisions of the Stolen Valor Act.
But, unfortunately, Ms. Campbell lost her job over the incident for confronting Alvarez. Her employer asked why she even cared because she wasn’t a Marine any longer. Obviously, someone who had never served. Lawyers have offered to help her file a suit against the employer, but she has refused.
So if the Supreme Court upholds the appellate court’s decision to overturn Alvarez’ conviction, Ms. Campbell will end up being the only person punished in the whole incident.
Thanks to William Teach for the link.
Category: Marine Corps, Phony soldiers
“Lawyers have offered to help her file a suit against the employer, but she has refused.”
OMG lady!! Take them to the cleaners!!!!
Another reminder of the political bullshit pervasive at SCE (and yes, I say that as a former employee.)
California.
She’s too good to be working for that company.
At least she can look in the mirror and hold her head high!
She is a class act!
No, dear, don’t. You’ve got a case, and it is winnable. However, it will consume your life for about two years.
Unless you are interested already in becoming a lawyer, yourself (in which case the experience would be extremely helpful), use this experience to get a much better job, and live your life happily.
She was fired nearly five years ago, and has since obtained other employment. Still, it amazes me how PC SCE has (and at the time) had become, ignoring what in this case was illegal behavior, yet punishing the person who exposed it.
I’d like to think there are some people at the GO (General Office) in Rosemead who have a little shame, but I know differently.
We all owe her a beer.
“So if the Supreme Court upholds the appellate court’s decision to overturn Alvarez’ conviction, Ms. Campbell will end up being the only person punished in the whole incident.”
Only if there isn’t a Recording Angel.
Well done, Ms. Campbell. You have our gratitude and respect.
She should file the suit – and have her lawyers tell them that they’ll portray SCE as both willing accomplices to Alvarez’s illegal actions and as an evil corporation trying to stifle her first amendment rights (yeah, I know – not apropos, but sounds good anyway). I suspect SCE will realize that they don’t need that kind of publicity, likely can’t win at trial, and will offer to settle at that point.
Oh, and before I forget: well done, young lady. You have my gratitude.
I stand up and salute her! It pisses me off she lost her job over it, what a bunch of douchebags but I can’t really say I’m surprised when I too lost a civilian job over my drill weekends. Some people are just natural born dicks.
As a Reservist and recent college grad, I can agree with GI Jane, its hard to interview with a company or Federal agency and have to say that you are a Reservist, all they hear when they hear ‘Reservist’, is “Potential Empty chair we still have to pay and hold onto”, they don’t care to see the potential, or give NG and Reserve the chance to prove that we can still do the civilian job and the weekend thing at the same time, and that we won’t take the job and instantly deploy. Its BS
Well done, Marine. Shame on SCE, bunch of dbags. Alvarez is a POS, hope is life is hell.
Outstanding Marine! I would sure as hell sue the fuck out of SCE…. Douchenozzles. Buy hera beer!
I love the USMC. I just sent Mellisa an email. She works for the USMC at CAMP PEN on the left coast. I recommended that she stop by here and check in.
HooYah USMC!
Melissa,
I just read your story in the Wash Times at: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/6/exposer-in-stolen-valor-case-fired/
I am very proud of you. Keep up the great work for the troops of the USMC and the families on the home front .
Go to “This Ain’t Hell” at http://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=29027
You are a local hero in the MIL Blogs!
Regards,
MCPO NYC USN (Ret.)
I bet she likes her new job a whole lot more!!!
A quote I am adding to my leadership philosophy memo.
“Doing the right thing is never wrong”.
Semper Fidelis, Marine.
’75-79.
Also,
If he is a former Jar Head, what’s up with the ASU’s he was wearing?
I am underwhelmed by our new service uniform, back to the maître d’ with bling look….
“my Marine Corps”
Gotta love that!
I emailed my comments to SCE at https://www.sce.com/forms/ContactUs.aspx. For account number, I put the number “1” ten times. Probably won’t do any good for us to write, but at least they’ll know that people give a damn.
Somebody get her email address so that we can all express our support for her!
She’s doing my Marine Corps proud.
Is she married???
#4 Yep. Good luck Ms Campbell, you did the right thing to your personal detriment. That is an example that should inspire and be emulated.
@20 Marine_7002, I did the same thing. I also sent an e-mail to the Kalifornia tourism folks advising them that if I want to go to the beach I’ll go to Texas! If I want to take my granddaughter to an amusement park there’s always Six Flags over Texas!
Ms. Campbell, Semper Fi! You’ve done every Marine, past, present and to come, very proud. I think they need to rewrite the Guidebook for Marines and add your name to the list of heroic Marines. God’s speed, fair winds and a calm sea.
I am choking on my own rage. Seriously.
I have the pleasure of knowing Ms. Campbell personally, I have to say that she is one of the most caring people I have ever met. She loves the Corps. and it’s families. She didn’t deserve what SCE did to her, however she did move on to bigger and better things(and yes she’s happily married). She is a very classy lady and I’m assuming that’s why she wont go through with a law suit(Although in not going after them I feel they are getting off scott free). In my opinion they are accomplices to the crime, and are sending a message that it is ok. Alvarez needs to be punished, and I don’t mean a slap on the wrist. This is wrong and it takes away from all our wounded and fallen, as well as the families. I do feel that he should be made an example of, if not whats to stop the next person. It just cheapens what the Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen have done to recieve the actual awards. This all just makes me one pissed off Grunt Wifey!
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