Phony SEAL chief of Waukegan, IL PD
Jeff sends us a link to the Chicago Tribune story about Robert Kerkorian, the new police chief of Waukegan, IL who put on his 1987 application to join the police force that he was, what else, a Navy SEAL;
But Chief Robert Kerkorian never trained as a SEAL, according to military records obtained by the Tribune. He was in the Navy for six months and never entered the rigorous training required of the special operations force, records show.
Asked about his military career, Kerkorian repeatedly declined to discuss the issue.
“Anything that preceded my employment here as a police officer has no bearing on my 26 years as a law enforcement officer here,” he said.
Well, other than the fact that you’re big F’n liar, nuts which are numb. Don Shipley busted him, of course;
By adding SEAL training to his application, the new chief essentially credited himself with undertaking “the toughest military training in the world,” said Don Shipley, a former SEAL who exposes military fakers online. People who misstate their service on applications, Shipley said, mislead employers and disrespect veterans’ sacrifices.
“When you’re putting that crap on a job resume, you’re definitely trying to profit from it,” he said.
Apparently, the mayor doesn’t think it’s a big deal.
Questioned about his new chief’s military record, Motley said he had not looked at Kerkorian’s personnel file and the two had never discussed his service. His military credentials are “not relevant to his employment as chief,” Motley said, describing himself as “very pro-Kerkorian.”
“I think he’s doing an excellent job. He’s very well-respected,” he said.
Yeah, but can you believe anything that comes out of his crooked mouth?
Category: Phony soldiers
Someone on this site is a lawyer so they might know. Would this fall under the new SVA? As he was hired before the law was passed, it could precede the law. On the other hand, the ongoing benefits might make it apply.
Andy Kravetz, reporter
Peoria (Ill.) Journal Star
akravetz@pjstar.com
Isn’t six months kind of a short hitch?
Good question, Andy. Not sure how the ex post facto issue plays in this case in relation to the new SVA. It will be ineteresting to see how long Chief Kavorkian will head up the department, though – at least until he steps on his crank.
Great! Do I go around with a paper bag over my head? Or if that asshole shows up at my door (fat chance, I don’t live in Waukegan), do I bring up his non-SEAL service?
The answer to the question “do you believe anything he says” is N-O, NO!
Andy,
I think that the best we can do with this is *serious* public shaming but then again, he doesn’t want to talk about it and blows it off. Apparently (I read an article about it too this morning) and Stars and Stripes picked this up as well (http://www.stripes.com/news/us/new-waukegan-chief-s-claim-of-navy-seal-training-called-into-question-1.224588) Mayor Wayne Motley couldn’t give a crap cause they’re butt buddies from the force and even other officers said he claimed SEAL status but didn’t want to be identified (Blue Code of Silence, aka Blue Shield, Blue Wall, Curtain, Veil, or Cocoon))
BECAUSE THEY’RE SHITBAGS!!!!
I guess corruption, lying, and fraud are all part of the new paradigm that is the U.S. government. I wonder if his lack of integrity could ever be used against him in cross-examination…???
Glad the mayor don’t give a shit. Tells you how he feels about military service. Sounds like Waukegan is being run by first class fucktards. Remind me to stay here in the south……
I know this will incur much wrath here, but if he put this on his resume ONCE, back in ’87, and has served honorably and well as a police officer since then without repeating it? Well, I’m inclined to chalk that up to the utter stupidity of (relative) youth.
Also, it appears he put ‘SEAL trainee’ on his resume – perhaps indicating he attended BUD/S but washed out? And, as we all know, ‘mislabeled’ things in a technical sense? (One isn’t a SEAL, trainee or otherwise, until completion of BUD/S.)
I look at the other posers who get busted, seeing constant stories of bragging of their exploits and often questionable life choices. This guy lied -or, possible, embellished as above- but since then has served his community well and doesn’t appear to have lied more. If it was a one-time thing over 25 years ago, well, that doesn’t outweigh what he’s done IN those 25 years.
MGySgtRet, Waukegan is definitely run by first class fucktards, as is North Chicago, which butts up against Great Lakes Naval Station.
Ju8st glad I do not live in either of those places.
@8 No, you actually have a good point. If the Chief and the Mayor point-blank said it was claimed, it was a lie, and it was wrong, and that the chief had served honorably for his time as a police officer, this whole thing would come to a screeching halt. But the stonewalling, blustering, “it’s-none-of-your-business” attitude will get him exactly what he deserves: run out on a rail. Because IT IS OUR BUSINESS. They work for US, not the other way around.
@2. I overlooked that! Yes, he served 6 months. What’s up with that?
@1. No, it ain’t gonna happen. The amended law isn’t retroactive. What should happen–but clearly won’t–is that he should be charged with fraud in his original application. Depending upon what was written above his signature (e.g., ” I certify that the iformation on this application is true and correct….” he could also face another charge. However, he is now in an APPOINTED position and protected by his butt buddy, the mayor.
I wonder how this came to light?
Turd.
He was in the Navy for six months
And based on his discharge, anyone here want to bet that might have made an impact on his qualification to become a police officer in the first place?
I mean, after all, it IS Waukegan, and Great Lakes is RIGHT NEXT FRIGGIN DOOR to the town…nah, keep rockin that BS story, bud.
Besides, EATING a seal doesn’t make ya one, blobbo.
@8. The young and stupid fellow was given a gun and authorized to shoot people with under prescribed circumstances, requiring good judgment. He was also authorized to arrest people and was trained (ad nauseum)that the greatest asset a police officer has on the stand is his credibility. I can’t help but wonder how many times he nervously wondered whether anyone would check out his SEAL claim, knowing he lied. And now, when faced with the trith he “repeatedly has no comment.” F him.
Our Police Chief has a first name it’s F-u-k-i-n,
Our Police Chief has a last name it’s L-i-a-r,
He lies to the public all the way, if you ask me why I’ll say,
Cuz Fukin Liar has a way with Stolen Valor every day!
With apologies to the fine pork and pork related products of the Oscar Mayer company…
“Anything that preceded my employment here as a police officer has no bearing on my 26 years as a law enforcement officer here” — except for the whole using “Navy SEAL” on a resume to get one’s foot in the door. Piss ant!
Wonder if he has any Native American ancestry?
If so – “Chief Me-Fake-Seal” has a nice right to it, and might be kinda apropos given his current job.
He needs to resign immediately! He put it (SEAL service) on paper as issuing a resume to be hired. Now he is caught in that lie. Got to go.
2/17 Air Cav: not sure, but I’d guess false swearing on any 1987 application or form and/or related fraud has long since passed IL statues of limitations.
lol I bet this guy has a bad conduct discharge or something else ridiculously awful in his record and was hired specifically because of his SEAL vet cred. What a shitbag. Obviously it’s nothing positive or else he wouldn’t have had to lie and hide it.
@14: Oh, I understand that perfectly – and if this came out 24 years ago, when he was a novice cop and had recently lied, I’d be singing a different tune. However, if he’s ‘made up’ for his lie by serving admirably for those 25 years, I’m inclined to give him some benefit of the doubt.
The ‘no comment’ thing is, in all likelihood, the advice of lawyers, for better or worse. Ultimately, what’s the measure of this guy? His service, which seems to have been pretty decent, or a lie told 25 years ago?
If it also comes out he’s repeated that lie more recently, I’ll also change my tune. I just don’t see much merit in attacking someone who is doing a tough job, doing it well, and doing it with honor, despite mistakes made half a life-time ago.
The chief had better hope that he never again has to take the stand. All the defense lawyer will have to do is ask about the SEAL training and his credibility is done. I’m thinking that 6 months in the Navy is about the right amount of time to get bounced from “A” school, right at NTC Great Lakes.
Bobo…figure a couple months in boot, hit the bus to go down the road from RTC to NTC, bounced out of BE/E or A school, and sit around at TPU waiting to get shitcanned.
I don’t think he would have even made it through BE/E or a medium-length A school. And remember, anything under 180 days is considered “Entry Level Separation–Convenience of the Government.” Which means pretty much any shitbag reason you can invent.
Anonymous, if he told just one little lie or embellishment 25 years ago just to get hired, is it possible that he might have told another little lie to make sure that the arrest stuck, or maybe a little lie to make sure that a warrant went through? After all, it was for the good of the people, and no one innocent really got hurt.
@21-Anon-look up the word “integrity” and see how it DOESN’T apply to this guy.
Let me point to one SHANE LADNER
(http://www.mdjonline.com/view/full_story/22412297/article-Former-officer-accused-of-lying-about-purple-heart)
The city of Holly Springs opted to fill the vacancy in the Police Department in early April 2013. As a result, Mr. Ladner’s employment with the city was separated effective April 5, 2013.
We are aware of the allegations of false documents against Shane Ladner related to his military service. We are investigating what jurisdiction may have authority over these said allegations. We have been in contact with the local, state and federal agencies that would have authority to bring forward potential criminal charges and prosecution once all evidence is presented.
Also in Dallas Texas,
A Dallas police officer resigned Tuesday after internal investigators found that he lied about his military record in a case that illustrates previous flaws in the department’s hiring processes.
Matthew Wilson, 36, was hired in December 2004 after background investigators failed to discover that he been previously rejected by the department and that he had received a discharge from the military under “other than honorable conditions.”
** By state law, he was not eligible to hold a peace officer’s license. **
I wonder what the offenses are in Wisconsin for lying about your military status and under what status his discharge was AND if, because he LIED about his service, his arrests and effectiveness as a LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER can be put in to question. (Not to mention the other crap he was involved in)
Well the lawyers will eat it up when it comes down to integrity questions. Cant demand it form the rank and file when the head is lying. I can see all manner of lawyer-fu wreaking the city and the states coffers. Not to mention all the bad guys that will get a walk now that his integrity is in question.
I mean come on, integrity, honesty are hardly attributes you want to see in your police officers huh mr mayor…. How many court cases did he testify in, and was he always honest then too?
@21 The foundation of his career is predicated on a lie, that career might not exist without the original lie used to gain access to the career in the first place.
It’s also very rare that someone who starts out gaining a career with a lie suddenly stops lying and becomes a model citizen. It’s more likely that once a liar always a liar. The credibility of the department as operated by a liar is suspect.
He might be the once in a lifetime exception to the idea that liars are always liars and he’s nothing but a fount of truth and honor since that moment….or it could call into question his testimony at trials etc…how would you like to be a prosecutor right now with this information released? If I was a defense attorney I might begin investigating the chief for evidence of other lies, especially if it gets one of my clients a second trial or a release date. These things often have a way of snowballing out of control. The lies we speak might often be forgiven as a momentary lapse of judgment. The lies we commit to paper are more deliberate in nature, thus more grievous in effect.
@21. The “no comment” thing is, I am wholly confident, his doing–in concert with his crony, the mayor. As for the argument that it happened long ago, your take is at odds with civil service rules and law. There is no statute of limitations on a fraudulent application for employment. I personally know of cases in which folks who worked hard and well in their gov’t jobs for many years were summarily fired for lying on their applications. You may disagree with that action, but that’s the reality. This guy is now beyond that, inasmuch as he is in an appointed position and, more likely than not, he is now in a ‘serves at the plaesure of’–not a civil service–job.
NHSparky – I was thinking the basic seaman course that they ran for the non-rates. Having been in one of those weird non-traditional pipelines (SWSE), I’m not sure how long most of the “A” schools were then. I doubt that he would have been up to BE/E or any of the technical “A” schools, though.
Ah…Apprenticeship Training (AT) is what you speak of, Bobo. IIRC, back in the 80’s when I was stuck at Great Mistakes, AT was right after boot, and it lasted about four weeks. Pretty much anyone without an A school guarantee went there before hitting the fleet.
Back then, the nuke pipeline was in Great Lakes for BE/E (for ET’s) and all three rates (EM, ET, MM) did A-school there. ET was by far the longest (I got to NTC in August and graduated ET-A the following April.) Unless this guy was blowing through a self-paced school, he barely got unpacked at NTC before he got caught up in something and they shipped his sorry ass to TPU to await discharge.
@21 I do agree with you on your very valid points that being said however…
Once caught in that lie it raises the question of what else he lied about during his career as a LEO that we haven’t heard about? Furthermore if he did list anything about being a SEAL, whether or not it was simply SEAL Trainee or not, and it is verified he never even attended the course it should be a firing offense. According to the official military record he was only in for 6 months and one does not attend BUD/S and washout only to be kicked out of the Navy for washing out. You still have a contract to honor and in some military jobs 6 months is just the start of the AIT portion.
Lying on an official government document is a firing offense if I am not mistaken and that application he put this on is an official government document. The best thing he could do is simply admit his lie and own up to what he did. Honesty would go much further with the public rather than appearing to hide from it. He is the CoP after all.
Okay, if Kerkorian started his cop career 27 years ago, and put a lie on his application, how many of his arrests are going to be called into question because of this?
That’s what you should be addressing.
@29: I’m not drawing a direct parallel here, but Audie Murphy’s career was predicated on a lie as well – he would not have been allowed to join if he had been truthful about his age. In this case this is absolute, whereas it’s simply conjecture that this now-chief wouldn’t have gotten his job without claiming ‘SEAL trainee’ status.
Again, if there’s evidence that he’s repeated the lie recently, I’ll change my tune. And I’m aware, sadly, that public defenders will use this to challenge arrests, but I’m of the opinion that if he’s served well for 25 years, that should hold sway as a stronger indicator of his character than something he used to get a job. I’m not excusing the lie, I’m saying it’s mitigated by his actions over the past two and a half decades.
@30: You’re probably right that the ‘no comment’ thing is done in concert with the mayor, but I’m not inclined to label the mayor a crony without knowing more about them. If they’re serving the community well, then great. If not, that’s a different story.
Again, for me, this comes down to how he’s been during the past 25 years, not what happened back then.
@33: I agree – if this was merely the start of his lies, then out with him. Again, that gets to who he’s been over the past 25 years, not what he did in a particular instance 25 years ago.
It’s possible (though I’m not sure how plausible) that he enlisted, went to BUD/S and rang the bell immediately and got discharged for some reason or another, and, having only been in 6 months and not being terribly familiar with the terminology, called himself a ‘SEAL trainee’, as he was in training to be one. It’s a… distortion to be sure, and clearly wrong, but a possible course of events for a guy who was in for such a brief time. I just don’t know, but I feel for a guy who has apparently served the community well and is now being chased by his own past from half a lifetime ago. I know I’m pretty different from who I was half a lifetime ago, and being judged on that rather than who I am today wouldn’t be ideal.
As for being truthful and forthcoming, absolutely – he should own up to this, apologize, and explain himself. That’s far preferable to ‘no comment’.
When has anybody said “yeah, that stolen valor guy is an upstanding individual”?
where there is smoke there is fire……
When I was hired as a cop in Ohio I had to sign (and swear to) a form stating that I had not lied anywhere in the application process … including all forms that I filled out and statements I made in order to be hired.
The penalty for such a lie, if found? Immediate termination.
Pretty sure most departments have a form like that.
However, that being all well and good, I’m also pretty sure that once you’re hired as the Chief it’s a different ballgame. You serve at the leisure of the Mayor (and or City Council) and it’s considered a different job than actually being a member of the police department.
Well, one thing we’ve learned since this blog started is; there’s ALWAYS something else. Stolen Valor is just the tip of the iceberg of bad behavior.
@36. “…but I’m not inclined to label the mayor a crony without knowing more about them.” Okay. Fair enough. But Jonn’s excerpts from the newspaper story didn’t include this line from the article:
“Appointed in May by new Mayor Wayne Motley — a former Waukegan police officer who served on the SWAT team with the new chief and called him a “very great friend”[.]
If that’s not enough, after only weeks on the job, his butt buddy, Mr. Mayor, says that Chief Kabbagepatch (whatever) is doing an “excellent job.” That’s gotta be a record for a vote of confidence.
So the scumbag politician is supporting his scumbag Stolen Valor buddy? Shocking.
@36
“Again, for me, this comes down to how he’s been during the past 25 years, not what happened back then.”
Kind of like Nazi Death Camp Guards who lied on their immigration paperwork to get into the US. Heck many (nay I say most) of them went on to become upstanding, law abiding US citizens…only to be uncovered decades later for what they had done in the 40s.
What the heck…it’s more important what they did in the following 50+ years….not that they gassed a few Jews in the 40s.
Well, I know it puts me in the minority here but I’m kinda with Anonymous. Is there any evidence that he’s claimed a background as a SEAL recently? Or even within the last decade or so?
I don’t even want to think about the stupid shit I did when I was 25. I consider myself extremely fortunate that there was no internet back then.
If the worst thing you can say about a guy is that he lied on his resume 26 years ago, I think maybe it’s time to move on to a more deserving target.
There’s a difference in degree between something like this and the clown who walks around looking like he walked into clothing sales wearing a powerful magnetic vest so every possible award and decoration stuck to him. If he had spent years boasting about his experiences in the SEALs, if he had put himself out there as “Veteran Navy SEAL Robert Kerkorian”, If he walked around in public wearing a trident and telling war stories, I’d probably be moved to work up some outrage, but honestly this gets a big “meh” from me.
He’s a “supporter” of Waukegan’s new mayor, so he has “top cover”:
http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/19954264-418/new-mayor-names-supporters-to-new-roles-including-police-chief-and-city-attorney.html
There seems to be at least one . . . “interesting” occurrence in his police career with the city:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-11-15/news/0411150221_1_officers-cocaine-and-crack-cocaine-police-station
The Internet can be a good thing. Full name and approximate DOB (Mo/Yr) are available if you know where to look. That gives bounds on his dates of service of between 1980 and 1987.
FOIA will go out in today’s mail. Yeah, I know – the Tribune already has it. But if they posted a copy, it’s behind a pay/subscription wall, and I don’t do those for newspapers.
What does the mayor mean he hasn’t looked into it but does not feel it is a big deal. So much for that honesty and integrity bit. I’m sure once his subordinates find out he is nothing but a liar they won’t have quite as high of a regard for their boss as Mr. Mayor.
@43: Wait, you don’t see a difference between lying to get a job and committing crimes against humanity? Really?
@44 I get where you and Anonymous are with this, it’s been my experience though that resume liars and liars in general don’t very often turn out to be one and done with respect to their lying ways….this guy could be that exception. I would be surprised to find that to be so but it’s not impossible. The concern is that lying to get a job where your word carries more weight than the average citizen has implications beyond lying about not smoking dope when you were 25….
For me as with all of these singular type events, an explanation and an apology for a misstatement are usually well received in the United States, we like giving folks a second chance when they are sincere in recognizing the error of a past transgression.
If the chief said something like; “I joined the Navy to become a seal, I failed and was separated from the service for that failure. When I applied for my police position I stated that I had been a SEAL trainee because in my mind that is what I had been doing. I realize that some folks might take that to mean I served as a SEAL when I did not, I am sorry for the misrepresentation and I apologize to SEALs and veterans for the mistake. My work as chief has been very rewarding and I believe I have helped make my community safer through those efforts. Please forgive my error, as I look forward to being your chief of police for many years to come.” he would be forgiven and this goes away so fast nobody remembers it a year from now….
@44. Martinjumper: The man lied on an application for employment saying that he has undergone SEAL training in order to enhance his employment application. Presumably, he thought it was important to do so and, for all we know, another applicant was rejected by the weight accorded to this guy’s special training. Then there’s the credibility issue. He was not applying for a position on a loading dock but as a police officer. And when did he cease lying? Was it before or after he gave his first sworn testimony? Reaching back in time some 25 years is not usually done. Somebody smelled a rat and, lo and behold, one was found.
Bobo: yeah, I can hear it now:
Defense Atty: So, Chief Kerkorian – have you ever lied on an official document? Remember, you are under oath?
K: . . . . .
Defense Atty: Chief Kerkorian? I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your answer.
K: No.
Defense Atty: I see. Were you ever a Navy SEAL?
K: No.
Defense Atty: Did you ever claim to be a Navy SEAL?
K: No. I mean, maybe. Yes.
Defense Atty: Well, Chief, which is it? Yes or no?
K: Yes.
Defense Atty: Did you ever claim to be a SEAL on a job applicaiton? Remember, you’re under oath.
K: Yes.
Defense Atty: Was that when you applied to be a Waukegan police officer in 1987?
K: Yes.
Defense Atty: (producing copy obtained during discovery) Is this your signature above the line saying “I certify under penalty of perjury that all entries on this form are true and correct”?
K: Yes.
Defense Atty: Would you like to amend your answer to any previous questions? Like maybe the one about have you ever lied on an official document?
K: Um. . . ah. . .
Defense Atty: No further questions, your Honor.