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Recently discovered memo sent to CBS News. We are unable to find if this was sent from an Atlanta KINKOS or not but we continue our investigation. 

 

Before coming to Twentynine Palms, City Manager Michael
Swigart held similar positions in the California towns of La Puente and
Parlier. In 2001, Swigart quit the Parlier job in the wake of a Grand Jury
report. His next job was with the City of La Puente. Six months after he
started, the city council fired him.

Richard
Velasco,  former Parlier city councilman, spoke at the 
CITY OF LA PUENTE council
meeting on January 19, 2002,  the meeting during which Michael Swigart
was fired. Here's what the minutes had to say about it: for
more click here

"Richard Velasco, 13609 East Young, Ex-City Councilman of
the City of Parlier, spoke regarding the former City Manager of Parlier’s
refusal to allow food to be distributed in the City Community Center during a
freeze, and other matters of City Manager conduct. . . .  for
more click here

Another Parlier citizen made the 6-hour trip to La Puente
that night to discuss Swigart's actions when he worked in her town. Again,
according to the La Puente official record:

"Lucy Pimentel, Parlier, California, spoke regarding
Closed Session Item No. 7., and stated Mr. Swigart was formerly the City
Manager of Parlier. She then spoke regarding the conduct of Mr. Swigart in the
City of Parlier. . . .  for
more click here

---

Why on July 20, 2001, did Mr. Swigart quit his job in Parlier
just five days after the release of the Grand Jury report? You decide.
Click here to read
the Grand Jury report for yourself. 

Click here to read what
the Fresno Bee had to say about it.

Why on January 19, 2002, less than 6 months after being hired
in La Puente, was he discharged? 

If you question these allegations, feel
free to call Richard Velasco, in
Parlier, California. His telephone number is 559-646-3131.

Fresno County County
Counsel

Fresno County District
Attorney

Fresno County Sheriff

 Fresno County Superior
Court

Fresno County Grand
Jury

We encourage the disbeliever to check our sources. It is
important that we all know what kind of individual that runs our city.

The Swigart Files

"Mail Order Mike" Must
Go!

After a 10 year battle in the
courts, The Attorney General of the State of California before the Superior
Court of Alameda County Won its lawsuit and closed Columbia Pacific University
in 1997.

From forum User "An
Observer"
Deputy Attorney General
Asher Rubin blasts the school in his
complaint, calling it "a diploma mill which has been preying on
California consumers for too many years." The suit also calls
Columbia Pacific a "phony operation" offering
"totally worthless [degrees]...to enrich its unprincipled
promoters." Point Reyes Light -- December 24, 1997 blasts
the school in his complaint, calling it "a diploma mill which
has been preying on California consumers for too many years." The
suit also calls Columbia Pacific a "phony operation" offering
"totally worthless [degrees]...to enrich its unprincipled
promoters." Point Reyes Light -- December 24, 1997

"The typical degree programs costs around $1,600
to $1,700."....... "CPU, like other unaccredited
universities, is not recommended for a Bachelor's." http://www.altcpualumni.org/chronicles/bear1980.pdf
Alternate

"Columbia Pacific University, unlike most
non-traditional (or traditional) schools, is willing, in principle, to award
its degrees entirely and totally for past experience. That is, a person with
.extensive career or life experience, which can be well-documented, may
be awarded the degree (or degrees) of CPU with no further new work required."
http://www.altcpualumni.org/chronicles/bear1980.pdf
Alternate

"Degrees awarded are the BA, BS, MA, MS,
MBA, EdD, PhD (Iiberal arts and sciences, business and in law), DSc (Doctor of
Science), JD (Jurisprudence), DBA (business) and DCD (Doctor of Communication
Disorders--also the PhD in this field). Combined degree sequences (e.g. BS/MS
or MBA/DBA) cost less than the two added together. Tuitions are now
Bachelor's:$3,000 (US and UK; other $3,300); Master's: $3,200 (other $3,520);
Doctorate: $3,200 (other $3,997). These fees are for one year."
http://www.altcpualumni.org/chronicles/bear1980.pdf
Alternate

"It's
very serious," says OPM Director Kay Coles James. "Individuals
guilty of fudging academic achievements ... are a security risk."
US
Today 9/28/03

“Swigart has a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Public
Administration from Columbia Pacific University in San Refeal. He was
director of Community Development in the city of Ridgecrest from 1991 to 1997.
Prior to that he worked in Pismo Beach in the same post, Ruiz said.” July
10^th 2001 “New
Manager Accepts Offer” San Gabriel Valley
Tribune

The Fox in Charge of the Hen House

Recall29 is continually asking for documentation on credit card purchases and have on a regular basis been given partial or incomplete information to justify any and every purchase we have asked for information on. The City’s own policy requires this information to be provided to the Finance Department before any disbursement of moneys for a purchase. Many of those documents that are required by the City’s own policy and state law are missing or nonexistent. Further a failure to provide this information by the credit cardholder constitutes a misuse of Public Funds according to the City’s own policy. Here is the language of Page 2 “Credit Card Purchases:”