The Truth Matters? 1 of the 14 National Educators for Romney Coalition has a diploma mill doctorate

[hopeful68]

This is a copy of a letter I've sent to several media outlets...with no response. Maybe it is just that I don't like the guy, but being appointed to Romney's National Educators Coalition and having a diploma doctorate (no matter how victimized one may have been by the institution) seems (to me at least) to be an item that should be addressed...

On September 12, 2012 a Tampa Bay Times “Gradebook blog” post by Jeff Solochek reported, “Dr. John Giotis, headmaster of The School of the Immaculata, was named one of 14 national honorary co-chairs of the National Educators for Romney coalition, which is officially headed by former U.S. education secretary Rod Paige.” I believe John Giotis, current co-chair of the Pinellas County presidential campaign to elect Mitt Romney warrants some investigation. At present, he refers himself Dr. Giotis and holds a “doctoral” degree from La Salle University of Mandeville, Louisiana, a well-known diploma mill that was exposed by the journalists of 60 Minutes and closed by the FBI. A timeline of the fraudulent LaSalle University can be found at … http://www.chugachconsumers.org/lib/lasallechronology.htm

Mr. Giotis has claimed to have been victimized by the fraudulent LaSalle institution and although it seems clear that he does not hold a valid doctoral degree, he continues to use the title of “doctor” and in many writings lists his name with D. Ed. Examples can be found at… http://www.ccpcfl.org/articles/Guests/Giotis/Jesus-capitalist.htm. In addition, his name is listed as Dr. Giotis on the school’s website…www.immaculataschool.com as well as listed as Dr. John Giotis, a 2010 financial advisor/presenter of “Best Budgeting and Finance Practices for Christian Schools” for the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (FACCS)… www.faccs.org/assets/Uploads/2010-Workshop-Block-Schedule5.pdf

Using such a title and presenting yourself as having earned a doctorate of education seems a clear violation of Florida law…

Title XLVI Crimes, Chapter 817 Fraudulent Practices
817.567 Making false claims of academic degree or title
(1) No person in the state may claim, either orally or in writing, to possess an academic degree, as defined in s. 1005.02, or the title associated with said degree, unless the person has, in fact, been awarded said degree from an institution that is:
(a) Accredited by a regional or professional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation

Mr. Giotis has been very active in Republican politics in Pinellas County, Florida as the current co-chair of the Romney campaign, a coordinator of the Yes2Marriage initiative and a campaign operative for Pam Bondi, our current State Attorney General. The Pinellas County Educational Facility Authority http://www.pinellascounty.org/bcc-agenda/2011_07_26/2011_07_26/30.pdf includes a pdf document, Giotis’ resume is attached and an asterisk notes his Doctor of Education degree as having been earned through the “LaSalle Education Corporation [which] was a legal but unaccredited degree granting institution”.

Clearly, I’m not a fan of Mr. Giotis and may have an admittedly tainted perception. I am simply tired of an individual of such questionable integrity continuing to seek to influence others in our community.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. This is a silly argument...

There is no such thing as a valid doctorate. You either recognize the granting institution or you do not. I would not consider it fraudulent, particularly if the school had some form of accreditation at the time. Schools gain and lose accreditation more often than many realize. The question would be, was it accredited and more importantly by whom, at the time.

To really stir the pot, there are those who do not consider a Ed. D. a valid doctorate, regardless of the granting institution.

[hunter]

2. Wikipedia article about this "University"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Kirk_diploma_mills

In any case people that support groups like this "National Educators for Romney Coalition" are doing tremendous damage to the educational institutions of the USA.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. Well I know of them...I really do not think it is an issue

Last edited Sun Nov 4, 2012, 11:33 AM - Edit history (1)

Education is taking all sort of damage, and not just from Romney...this bubba is identified and therefore isolated. It is the stealth ones, with or without an Ed D that worry me more.

[hopeful68]

4. I wish he was so "identified and isolated"...

but unfortunately, I'm the only one who has made the identification and it would seem no one shares my belief that such an appointment is indicative of the entire Romney attitude not only toward education, but further, toward the truth...