03 Saturday Aug 2019
Posted in Dragon Con, Para Scammers, Psychics, Scams, Uncategorized
≈ Comments Off on P.I. Bob Nygaard At DragonCon
Private Investigator Bob Nygaard will be appearing at DragonCon over the Labor Day Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. Nygaard will be discussing several phony “psychics” he helped identify and locate for prosecution.
For more information and ticket information, view https://www.dragoncon.org/.
22 Friday Feb 2019
Posted in Hoaxes, Poltergeists, Scams, Travel Channel, Uncategorized
≈ Comments Off on Another Segment from Paranormal Caught on Camera Called Out
Screen capture of the “poltergeist.”
Another Segment from Paranormal Caught on Camera Called Out
Travel Channel debuted the overhyped series Paranormal Caught on Camera this week. The series profiles numerous “paranormal” incidents occurring around the world. “Experts” are interviewed proclaiming the incidents legitimate with very, very little debunking. That’s a pity. The other day I cast suspicion upon the “Russian Bigfoot” segment. Now I’m calling out the Deerpark CBS School “poltergeist.”
First, I would like to express my deep dismay that no one at the popular cable channel did any Internet searches on these locations. Granted, I hold a M.A. degree in Library Science; however, I’m merely rooting through various credible websites—something someone at Travel Channel should have done.
The segment on the Deerpark CBS School in Cork, Ireland was too contrived. Simply stated: It was too staged. The first video clip showed a rear door slamming closed. Then a set a lockers rocked violently. Papers fell out of another locker adjacent to the rocking set. Finally, a “wet floor” sign aggressively flipped over. In the second video, a chair levitated in the background. A student backpack flew from the top of another set of lockers. Next, a poster flung from the wall. Finally, a chair slid across the floor. All of these are elaborate hoaxes.
Watch the video clips here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tUwg2Q1fKE and https://youtu.be/vh99uSI22BU.
It’s nearly embarrassing to go through the obvious. The dramatic slamming of the door catches the viewer’s attention. The aggressiveness of the rocking lockers is absurd. The papers in the other locker did not come from within the locker. Instead, they appeared to be perched ready to fly out. None of the other items inside were disturbed. The sign was not kicked, as one would expect, but flipped as if connected to wiring. The second video is worse. Most notably are 1) the poster being pulled from the wall (as if the upper corners are connected to wires), and 2) the chair dragged by one leg to the other side of the hallway (again, orchestrated by wires). Wouldn’t a ghost push the chair?
Even without viewing the videos (posted in early October 2017), one should consider the timing of the postings. The school hosted a Halloween event, where tickets were sold, to tour the “haunted” school shortly thereafter. Aaron Wolfe, one of the deputy principals, claimed that administrators just found out that the school was built on the former Green Gallows, a popular historic location where people were hung. In public. In the 19th century when nearly everyone attended public hangings.
The Facts
A school was built on the former grounds of the Green Gallows—just not Deerpark CBS. In 1852, construction began on the Old Greenmount School. In 1855, the school opened as St. Finbarr’s. The street name of Gallows Green Lane was changed to Green Street. (Admittedly, looking online at the old map, the Green Gallows was situated on Bandon Road—still a healthy walk from Deerpark) Deerpark sits on St. Patrick’s Road, a 10-minute walk away.
Historic Map of Green Gallows area.
Incredulously, Mr. Wolfe attempted to link Deerpark’s building to that of an historic school. Maybe he presumed no one in America would Google it.
This is another example highlighting the egregious errors and misrepresentation of paranormal events to lure viewers to watch mediocre shows. Do better, Travel Channel!
02 Monday Jan 2017
Tags
burke ramsey, defamation, jonbenet ramsey, lawsuits, ParaScammers, slander, st james episcopal church cemetery
Slander in the Age of Post-Truth: Burke Ramsey Files Defamation Lawsuit
JonBenet Ramsey rests in eternal peace alongside her mother and half-sister Elizabeth in St. James’ Episcopal Church Cemetery across the street from my daughter’s school. It happens to be my church’s cemetery, as well. It is a small, quiet cemetery. I pass it at least twice a day during the school year. Every time I drive by, I think of JonBenet. Her murder was a tragedy that persists because no one has ever been arrested or convicted for the crime. Americans with their fascination with true-crime books and TV shows are consumed with her death.
Twenty years ago 6 year old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey was murdered in her Colorado home. Her parents, John and Patsy, along with her brother, Burke, were suspects early on in the investigation. All three were cleared (see http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/29/us/jonbenet-ramsey-murder-fast-facts/). However, this didn’t stop one “documentary” from naming Burke as the killer. The Case of: JonBenet Ramsey debuted to lukewarm reviews capitalizing on the public’s infatuation with this tragedy. Ultimately, CBS may pay substantially for its recklessness.
The 2-part production was riddled with slanderous accusations. It was clear that the network merely sought to capitalize on ratings and advertising dollars. Producers dismissed the conclusions of law enforcement and multiple witness testimony concluding that Burke, who was 9 years old at the time, committed the murder. They’re wrong, but in the age of “post-truth,” this did not matter. All CBS saw were dollar signs. Hopefully, they will pay—and pay dearly. Burke Ramsey filed a staggering $750 million dollar defamation lawsuit this past week (see http://variety.com/2016/biz/news/jonbenet-ramsey-cbs-lawsuit-1201949899/ for more information).
Shortly after the series aired several “news” outlets suggested that JonBenet’s body was exhumed. It wasn’t; however, it sold a lot of tabloids. According to The Oxford Dictionary, post-truth means “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Although routinely applied to political arguments, post-truth is when facts are ignored and replaced by emotional opinions. Needless to say, this is dangerous territory. By making an emotional appeal that someone—anyone—should be held accountable for JonBenet’s death, the producers believe that they can get away with framing Burke. They shouldn’t though.
Media is rampant with slanderous comments. There are numerous laws against and related to slander. However, law enforcement routinely avoids charging someone. Often the only recourse is civil court, which is expensive. To some, it is easier to defame and to get away with it while profiting. That is why this case is important. If Burke’s legal team is successful, they may be able to set a precedent for others seeking remedies in similar actions. Similarly, they rely on Hulk Hogan’s defamation case against the now defunct Gawker Media to bolster their case. These cases may pave the way for others with limited income to successful sue for defamation.
The paranormal community has its share of profiteers who slander others in order to make a quick buck. This article is meant to place them on notice. Don’t make up stories about the living or the dead. (Yes, the dead cannot sue for slander, but it’s unethical just the same.) In addition, don’t repost or share stories that you suspect to be fake. Paranormal researchers should hold themselves to higher standards. By doing so, they establish credibility and limit their exposure to potential lawsuits.
03 Sunday May 2015
Posted in Ghost Hunting, Ghost Tours, Scams, Special Events
Tags
asap entertainment, carol malone, connie williams-williams, haunting at sloss, haunting in tombstone, llc, london knight, ryan buell, tony wolf paw
Carol Malone
Carol Malone Bombs in Tombstone
Fresh on the heels of last year’s Ryan Buell scandal, the paranormal community has been hit with another fiasco. Carol Malone, aka London Knight, has been promoting “A Haunting in Tombstone” for over six months. The 3-day event included paranormal investigations at some of the most active locations in Tombstone, Arizona. The initial talent listing was top-notch. VIP ticket holders would receive hotel accommodations at either The Larian Motel or the Tombstone Bordello, daily hot breakfast, dinner, entry into a Meet and Greet, and access to lots of old buildings. The event could have been outstanding. Unfortunately, the event was doomed from the start.
Rumors swirled after Malone’s Gadsden Hotel visit. Allegations volleyed across the Internet mostly via Facebook. Malone’s “A Haunting at Sloss” earlier this year did so-so with less than 10 people attending. Then there was all the stalker/court case/slander drama that consumed nearly every posting. Honestly, I was exhausted reading it all.
I purchased a VIP ticket back in October. Warning signs appeared shortly thereafter. I grew concerned that Tombstone wasn’t going to happen. I cancelled because I’m still recovering from last year’s battle with breast cancer and unsure if a cross-country trip would hinder my progress. Surprisingly, Malone did refund my money. However, many, many more people may not be so lucky.
Malone arrived in Tombstone Thursday ready to prove the critics wrong. She was unable to satisfy and make good on the event schedule. She failed to address the lack of paid rooms, abbreviated talent roster, and general low morale from a lot of attendees. People seemed lost, posting questions as to where they should go. This could have been avoided had Malone cancelled the event before people arrived.
Malone’s people continued to post the event was happening. They went so far as to slander anyone who said otherwise. Sadly, Malone could not cancel for she probably didn’t have the money to reimburse ticket purchasers. So her show had to go on.
Malone threatened one attendee that she would be arrested if she set foot in Tombstone. Connie Williams-Williams had already felt Malone’s wrath earlier in the week and was threatened with imprisonment by the Marshalls. Connie held a VIP ticket and was entitled to attend all of the events. Malone tried to have her removed from a venue, claiming she wasn’t invited.
Seems Connie salvaged some of the event. She worked with talent and set up gallery readings. She hosted other talent who were “guaranteed” accommodations only to arrive to none. By mid-day Saturday Connie had appeared on two radio shows: The Chat Room with Tony Wolf Paw (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tonywolfpaw) and Archer Paranormal Radio (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/archerpi/2015/05/02/api-gals-welcome-connie-williams-williams) discussing the event meltdown. By then things were deteriorating. Shortly after the Archer show, Malone cancelled the event page on Facebook and started unfriending her detractors.
The show ended Saturday evening when Malone was cited for theft of services and released. No fingerprints. No mug shot. Just a court date in two weeks.
Some good did come from this fiasco. Connie has teamed up with some other credible paranormal enthusiasts and formed ASAP Entertainment, LLC, https://www.facebook.com/pages/ASAP-EntertainmentLLC/374700822720906?pnref=story. Their mission: [T]o provide quality events with awesome talent and to host some of the best and most memorable events ever! ASAP Entertainment, LLC is dedicated to bringing you the very best in talent management and promotions.
Support those passionate about the paranormal community and have a proven track record. This tightknit community must stand up against those trying to exploit us. We aren’t suckers and we hate to be conned.
