UNACCREDITED DEGREE: SECURITY PROTECTIVE OFFICER

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06715188
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 17, 2024
• Document Release Date: November 15, 2024
• Case Number: F-2013-02114
• Publication Date: December 20, 2010

Approved for Release: 2024/11/05 C06715188
UNCLASSIFIED/ /-Febt7
20 December 2010
DISPOSITIO- MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: (U) Unaccredited Degree: Security Protective Officer
CASE: 2008-9001-B-IG
ISSUES UNDER INVESTIGATION:
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
j,(b)(7)(c)
A.A?
1. (U/LEIDIsferf In late 2007 and early 2008, the Office of Inspector
- 7GerAerg(OIG)TartdcipatOdin,a7US,,SeeretSiarl.A.ce4US.SSMect4aSkiorce:that -
reviewed the practices of a known diploma milL1 As
part of the USSS effort, OIG investigated an Agency contractor who had
been identified by the USSS as having received a degree from
The Agency contractor resigned during the investigation, and the US
Attorney's Office declined prosecution in favor of using the contractor as a
/6
(b)(3) CIAAct
_(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(6')(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
witness against
The contractor's clearances were terminated (b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
by the Office of Security (OS).
(b)(6) (b)(7)(c)
(b)(7)(c)
2. (U/ /BOUM- Based on the outcome of the investigation,
OIG opened a proactive investigation on 5 August 2008, into Agency Staff
claiming degrees from non-accredited institutions. OIG matched a list of
known, unaccredited institutions against Agency BIG information to
identify any individuals who had provided degree evidence to Human
(U) Diploma mill n 1: an institution of higher education operating without supervision of a state or
professional agency and granting diplomas without the usual required coursework and attendance: an
institution of higher education whose academic demands are minimal - Webster's New World
Dictionary.
UNCLASSIFIED/ LEOtirr
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
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UNCLASSIFIED/J..014er
Resources.' One of the individuals identified,
bachelors degree from
unaccredited institution, on his Agency BIO.
, claimed a
a known,
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
_
3. (I.W.B01:10) OIG reviewed the claims made by regarding his
degree and the associated education to determine if there were false
statements or improper use of an unaccredited degree.
INVESTIGATIVE EFFORTS:
4. (U//FetTC53 OIG reviewed
claims.
5. (U//EQUO) OIG reviewed
zerncy,,,
6. (U/ /501:6) OIG interviewed
regarding his unaccredited degree.
security file for any degree
personnel file and online
on 19 September 2008,
7. (CU/F.0140j OIG reviewed Agency regulations and relevant laws
related to the allegations.
RESULTS:
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
2 (U LECATeg3t The Agency biographical profile (Agency B10) is the mechanism for tracking information
on individuals who officially declare their, education to the Agency. Only staff employees and former
employees were covered by this review because there is no central database on contractor educational
records.
2
UNCLASSIFIED/ 4E014e-
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
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UNCLASSIFIED! SAUCr
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
11. (U)
holds no accreditation
was never
accredited by US Department of Education.
12. (U/LEDIJOI OIG determined that
employee who is currently assigned as a Security Protective Officer at the
has been an Agency employee since
holds a bachelor's degree from ri
received his
degree in (b)(6) (b)(6) (b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(7)(c) (b)(7)(c) (b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
13. (U//..EQUer) On his Questionnaire for National Security(D)(0)
Positions (SF-86 EG), dated listed a BS (b)(7)(c)
awarded in
an OS background investigator verified
kiegree is listed on his Agency BIO.
attendance at
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(6)� (b)(7)(c)
(b)(7)(c)
14. (U/ /..E0e01 During his interview with OIG, stated that,
unequivocally, he knew as unaccredited, but he wanted to attend a
and his siblings had attended with positive
(b)(6) (b)(6)
(b)(7)(c) (b)(7)(c)
experiences.
by a majority of faculty.
many accrediting bodies require terminal degrees
3
UNCLASSIFIED!/_EGefff
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
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(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6) .
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
UNCLASSIMED//$49ea
15. (U/ /SOUCY earned his degree prior to entering on duty
with the CIA. claimed during his interview with OIG, that he
assumed his degree got him his job at the Agency. However, the position
for which he was accepted does not require a degree.
16. (U//$.0149)- A review of the recruitment note for
application for employment indicates his experience
as a key factor in being hired. There is no indication in the recruitment
materials that degree was considered as meeting any requirements
of the position, and his current position does not require a degree.
17. (U/ LEGT:Jeil indicated in his interview with OIG that he
was clearly aware of lack of accreditation. In the context of
educational experience, there was no evidence of fraud in his presentation
of his credentials to the Agency.
DISPOSITION:
18. (U/a01:feY) and requires four
years of effort, though the academic rigor cannot be evaluated as it was
never accredited and had deficiencies in staff that would preclude
accreditation. was up front regarding his attendance and the
non-accredited status, and neither his entry job nor his present job required
a degree. There is no evidence that directly benefited from his degree.
19. (U//E0.140) On 26 August 2010, provided documentation
to OIG that an accredited institution, had
granted him equivalent status for his undergraduate degree from
4
UNCLASSIFIED! IGUer
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(7)(c)
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UNCLASSIFIED! LO
There is no evidence of criminal or regulatory violation on the part of
Based on the currently available information, no disciplinary action or
further investigation is recommended.
Special Agent
Supervisory Special Agent
5
UNCLASSIFIED/ LEQ1:Je1
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c).
(b)(3)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
(b)(3) CIAAct
(b)(6)
(b)(7)(c)
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