He is the founder of Nuru International, a social venture that primarily works in Kenya, Ethiopia, and the USA. An old profile, published on the parenting website DFWChild,states that she has a degree in international development from the University of Hawaii. "One of the great mysteries of life for me has always been the question of why bad things happen to great people? Surely, Im never one to question the work of God, still when I see the obstacles he puts in the path of someone like, Mina Chang, I become even more convinced that each such challenge is a window into a bigger opportunity. The report highlights a 2017 video posted to Linking the Worlds website, which shows Chang being interviewed about the nonprofits work. Our 2015, 990-tax filing indicated $10,000 of overseas spending. Our unique research efforts provide the accurate and tested knowledge necessary to then engage local, state, federal, and international stakeholders to promote our mission and to advocate for policies that will not only make our country safer, but will help lift up vulnerable communities abroad. 4:00AM. One year Bulatao bid on an auction item that resulted in a $5,500 donation to the group, Dailey said. The "host" for her charity's dinner on May 2, 2016 in Dallas was AlliedBarton Security Services, a large government security contractor that pledged $10,000 to the organization, according to a press release. Mina Chang in State Department Embellished Education History Chang was previously married. Today, Chang's colleague Ian Dailey says the Dallas charity was spawned from a Korean international relief organization that worked in 40 countries and started in 1998. Click here to read the latest CNN article. Whatever her qualifications, Chang had a key connection in the Trump administration. So, in advance, I apologize for the length of what follows, but I want to address each point that has been raised, to the best of my ability. The fake Time cover is attributed to her job as the CEO of the nonprofit Linking the World, which seems to be relevant to her job in the State Department. Chang has touted her small nonprofit online and in speeches as operating in dozens of countries, building schools and "impacting" thousands of people. But in Chang's numerous public speeches she did not mention the Korean organization, saying instead that she was CEO of an "international relief organization" based out of Dallas that works in 40 countries. However, why would a low expenditure be a negative? Mina has 1 job listed on their profile. Mina Malik is a Lecturer on Law and Senior Advisor to Harvard's Fair Punishment Project. Mina Chang at Ground Zero event on Sept. 11, 2017. When Chang was nominated for an even more senior job at the U.S. Agency for International Development, congressional staffers reviewing her background caught wind of the West Point episode. Like all admired leaders, she anticipates that problems in the world will never cease, they will only change; and its how you respond to them that will determine your fate. The McCaul staffer "was one of many social connections she had in D.C., and she was well on the way to obtaining a position when the letter was sent," Minton said. In a 2014 video she described her charity to a room full of Texas college students. U.S. State Department official and former, Become a member to support the independent voice of Dallas I said, 'Pull the interns.'". The U.S. embassy in the Philippines at the time dismissed the rumor as inaccurate. A profile in June 2014 by the Dallas Observer reports Chang, who is described as once having "a flourishing career as an international pop singer," is the child of two Salvation Army officers. November 13, 2019 During the interview, the screen cuts to a shot of the magazine cover with Changs face on it as the interviewer asks her how [the cover] came to be.. But before her humanitarian and government career, she was a singer. She says she "addressed" both the Democratic and Republican national conventions in 2016, but videos and documents show she instead spoke at separate events held in Philadelphia and Cleveland during the same time periods. A fake Time magazine cover with Mina Chang. She was raised in inner-city Atlanta, which shaped her beliefs about the importance of education. However, her LinkedIn profile provides details of her inflated career history. Also Read:Melissa Cohen Wiki, Facts to Know About Hunter Bidens New Wife. Accordingly, Ms. Chang absolutely addressed convention attendees. Shame on you NBC for not requiring your reporters to do basic research. State Department staffer resigns after allegations she - POLITICO [5], In January 2017, Chang spoke at the Asia Society Texas Center's Women's Leadership Series as a featured guest. that she made up a [U.N.] panel, wasnt entitled to call herself an alumna of HBS, or actively brought a picture to an interview, then, perhaps, Ill consider participating in a fair process.". Brian Bulatao, a top figure in the State Department and longtime friend of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, attended a fundraiser for her nonprofit in Dallas and once donated $5,500 to her charity, according to a former colleague of Chang's. The Rise of Mina Chang, Ex-Singer, Trump Official With - Insider Chang showed up with stuff to give out at a bunch of locations around . The organization's tax-exempt status was revoked by the IRS earlier this year. Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang Also Read:Douglas Emhoff Wiki, Facts To Know About Kamala Harris Husband. Reset all filters. Mina E. Khalil is a legal and social historian of the modern Middle East. This . Mina Chang circa 2009 when she was pursuing a career as a recording artist. [21][22] In response to the interviewer's question: "Here you are on Time magazine, congratulations! Similarly, the Army War College program she attended was a four-day seminar that does not have any graduates. Both institutions confirmed this. Naval Academy and served in the Marine Corps. Before receiving the letter of recommendation, Chang was spotted at numerous events, including the 2018 Aspen Security Forum, with McCaul's staffer. [15][16], On November 12, 2019, NBC News reported that Chang had "embellished her rsum with misleading claims about her professional background" prior to joining the United States Department of State. So, shame on you Mr. De Luce. Some required paying a steep fee. Biography. "She must accept the full consequences of her actions.". its this, right here. State Dept. We are proud and privileged for Akin's support on a pro-bono basis. Our advocacy strategy is composed of creating awareness and promoting common-sense policies, laws, and regulations across the legislative and executive branches of the US government. But her focus soon shifted to presenting herself as a passionate humanitarian. Two Other Money Laundering Indictments Unsealed as Part of Operation "Phantom Bank" Federal authorities today arrested 11 defendants named in a sweeping racketeering indictment alleging a series of money laundering schemes that revolved around the former head of Saigon National Bank, based in Westminster, California, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice . . State Department staffer got job with embellished resume, fake Time magazine cover, Democratic and Republican national conventions, who once worked in the government's Office of Personnel Management, an unaccredited Christian school with volunteer teachers, 'These people couldnt even get an internship on Capitol Hill. Both groups bestow membership through fees, according to Scott Gerber, the CEO of the Community Company, who manages both organizations. Henley. Research | Development | Advocacy Data-driven humanitarian initiatives in the context of national security. Career officials at the State Department and across the federal government take vetting seriously "because they care about maintaining a high standard for the civil service and the foreign service," Thomas-Greenfield said. Somewhere between 2012 and 2014, she purportedly became the president and CEO of the nonprofit, consolidating and relocating its offices to Dallas. Show all faculty types. Marocco endorsed her for the job and McCaul wrote her a recommendation letter. Meet The Trump Staffer Caught In A Web Of Resume Lies", "Senior Trump official embellished rsum, had face on fake Time cover", "State Department staffer resigns after allegations she inflated her resume", "Trump names Korean-American woman as USAID assistant administrator", "Singer-Turned-Activist Mina Chang Now Faces the Biggest Challenge of Her Life", "Senior Trump admin official Mina Chang resigns after NBC News report", "Mina Chang falsified resume with UH degree", "How did Mina Chang get a State Department job in the first place? Rest assured, we will not stop our work, whether that be at the State Department, Linking the World, or as individuals. She has boasted about her work in multiple talks and speeches, which are shared on the website. Even a cursory online search would provide evidence of our activities since 2001, and I have summarized 2001 2015 here: https://www.linkingtheworld.org/ltw-brief-history-2001-2015. Well, heres a perfect example every article mentions that Mina is married she is not if you cant get that basic fact right, why would we expect them to get anything else right? During a live interviewwith Mary Sit, on a public access/University channel, the piece was used without prior permission or approval from Mina or Linking the World. Chang's State Department biography page described her as an "alumna of the Harvard Business School," though NBC reported she only took a seven-week course there in 2016. By: Caroline John - Published: November 13, 2019 at 5:43 am | Last Updated: Spend a few minutes with her, and you, too will be infected with her zest for life and her determination to not only win her own battles, but more importantly, to turn hope into measurable action. Chang says in her official biography that she is as an "alumna" of Harvard Business School. "They should know how to properly report their program accomplishments and also address other required asks.". Mina Chang Wiki, Age, Husband & Facts About the State Department But it was discovered that Chang doesnt have an actual degree from Harvard, though she claims to be an alumna. My superiors at the Department refused to defend me, stand up for the truth or allow me to answer the false charges against me. Mina Chang proved anyone can come to the U.S. and create an "American" identity by simply putting a bunch of shit on social media that's sent to a new generation of reporters and government officials who think shit on social media people create about themselves is real. Animals and Pets Anime Art Cars and Motor Vehicles Crafts and DIY Culture, Race, and Ethnicity Ethics and Philosophy Fashion Food and Drink History Hobbies Law Learning and Education Military Movies Music Place Podcasts and Streamers Politics Programming Reading, Writing, and Literature Religion and Spirituality Science Tabletop Games . I will no longer participate in this grievous misrepresentation, where the truth is discarded for spin. The explosive growth of government regulation and oversight over the last decade demands that Linking the World thinks expansively and creatively when developing and implementing our strategies. An old profile on her states that she split time between her pop star life and humanitarian work. Mina Chang, 35, was appointed the deputy assistant secretary in the State Department's Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations in April. The Trump administration has faced criticism for its lax vetting, inadequate screening, and lack of thorough security clearance investigation of top officials. Moreover, she has also been accused of inflating her work with the organization. McCaul, through a spokesperson, said he now has a different perspective on Chang's qualifications. This White House appointee has an extremely creative resume The University of the Nations school she attended is an unaccredited institution with volunteer teachers in its branches all over the world. "Here you are on Time magazine, congratulations! Lax vetting, Mina has undergone 4 independent agency reviews, including the FBI, and ultimately garnered both Top Secret and Sensitive Compartmented Information clearances. Documents and videos prove she had spoken at separate eventsin Philadelphia and Cleveland during the same time as the conventions. The administration announced an intent to nominate her in late 2018. Akin Gump is consistently ranked as one of the top government relations practices in Washington, D.C.both by publications and peersthe public law and policy practice draws on the considerable governmental and bipartisan political experience of their lawyers and advocacy professionals, including former Members of Congress, congressional staff and other lawyers with considerable experience in government service, many of whom also engage in outside political activities. ", "Chang eyed as next US envoy to Philippines", "Trump official inflated rsum, report reveals and created fake Time cover", "Senior Trump official Mina Chang 'faked Time magazine cover and inflated claims in CV', "Unfortunately, I Love the State Department Scammer", "How To Tell a Fake TIME Cover From a Real One", "Global Outlook Interview with Mary Sit, January 2017", "Mina Chang Wiki, Age, Husband & Facts About the State Department Official with the Fake Time Cover", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mina_Chang&oldid=1122959723, This page was last edited on 20 November 2022, at 22:14. She was being considered for an even bigger government job, one with a budget of more than $1 billion, until Congress started asking questions about her rsum. Changs nomination to the USAID job, which would have required Senate confirmation, was withdrawn on Sept. 9 without public explanation, after the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations asked her for more documents and details about her nonprofit organization and her work experience. Brought some attention to it, indeed. Mina Chang, 35, the deputy assistant . Farayi Chipungu, Scott Westfahl. For those of you who are not familiar with me, I am not Mina. In past administrations, White House staff carefully checked a potential appointee's education and work bona fides, as well as any court cases or criminal records that could be damaging, said Pfiffner of George Mason. However, her LinkedIn profile provides details of her inflated career history. After obtaining our data and analyzing it, we go a step further than a traditional think tank by actively engaging and working with partners on the ground to effectuate long lasting change. "To not file with the IRS for three years is really being a scofflaw," Eve Borenstein, a lawyer with Harmon Curran law firm and a prominent expert on nonprofit tax law, told NBC News. NBC News was unable to find any record of her or her organization ever testifying before Congress. Marocco, who served in the Marine Corps, is now at the Pentagon as senior official overseeing Africa affairs. We as a people need to be better than this, we need to hold reporters, politicians and ourselves to account. After the cadet program collapsed, West Point asked Chang's charity to stop using West Point's logo and the logo of the academy's Center on Civil and Military Operations in her materials. Another Carrollton Fentanyl Arrest and an On-Campus Overdose at R.L. Dallas-Ex Mina Chang Lied Her Way Into Trump - Dallas Observer For example, Changs biography states that Mina is an alumna of the Harvard Business School, and a a graduate of the United States Army War College National Security Seminar. However, Chang actually only attended a seven-week course at Harvard in 2016 that does not offer a degree. An NBC News investigation found that Mina Chang, the deputy assistant secretary in the State Department's Bureau of Conflict and Stability Operations, has inflated her educational. Mina Changs husband, Jake Harriman, is a graduate of the U.S. An old friend who knew her in Dallas and did not want to be named said, "It's like Leonardo DiCaprio in that movie 'Catch Me If You Can,' I've been saying that for years," she said. [7] In her resignation letter, Chang claimed that "character assassination based solely on innuendo was launched against me attacking my credentials and character. In addition to her event production company, she publicly claimed a connection to Vissero Partners LLC, a company that sought investments from wealthy foreign nationals who invest at least $250,000 in U.S.-based projects in exchange for visas through the federal EB-5 program. She lived in an affluent neighborhood in Dallas in a high-end apartment building, former colleagues and acquaintances said. But wait, theres more: Chang was originally being considered for an even more senior government post in which she would have overseen the U.S. Agency for International Developments work in Asia. Harvard University Affiliated Professors. Chang also claimed to be a graduate of the United States Army War College National Security Seminar, a Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive in National and International Security, and a former International Security Fellow at New America. A senior State Department official in President Donald Trumps administration reportedly landed the role after falsifying numerous aspects of her professional and educational background, including creating a fake Time magazine cover with her face on it. Chang claimed that she is "an alumna of the Harvard Business School" who has "addressed . [13][18], On November 18, 2019, Chang resigned from her role at the United States Department of State. That does not make sense to me," said Jane Searing, an expert on nonprofit tax forms and an accountant at the accounting firm Clark Nuber in Washington state. Legal Guides; Lawyer Referral Service; Problem with a Lawyer; Attorney Profile. Daily said it is a small nongovernmental organization (NGO) that does not run large-scale programs, and instead tests new technologies including drones and new approaches to humanitarian relief. At least one trip that yielded pictures of Chang in war-torn Kurdish areas was coordinated by the U.S.-Kurdistan Business Council, according to AMS company documents. A fake Time magazine cover with her face on it added credibility to her bio for at least some people who found it online. In retrospect, she should have clarified the origins of the coverin that moment, instead, she answered the question she was posed, more broadly. At first glance, Changs body of work appears impressive. That year the organization reported to the IRS that it had only one employee. The research efforts we employ consist of utilizing a resiliency index in combination with big data to identify vulnerable communities at risk for violent extremism. Most recently, Mina served as the Executive Director of the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board, the largest police oversight agency in the nation which investigates allegations of police misconduct. Her Instagram account, with 42,000 followers, includes selfies with celebrities and Washington luminaries like former President Bill Clinton, retired Gen. David Petraeus, former Defense Secretary Bob Gates, Karl Rove, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Buzz Aldrin. We pilot new technologies, testing their practicalities, and seek to identify the 'unintended consequences' that are rife in our industry," Dailey told NBC News. Mina obtained her position at the State Department on her own merit, at no time was Brian Bulatao part of her nomination / recruitment / review process. Those included a former intern and a former senior development adviser for Linking the World, Michael Baker. https://www.linkingtheworld.org/hill-briefings, Episode On 33voices, Inc. with Moe Abdou, Like all admired leaders, she anticipates that problems in the world will never cease, they will only change; and its how you respond to them that will determine your fate. Law School Regulation; Access to Justice. He was fired last year after a Washington Post report brought public attention to his meteoric rise. Before she resigned last week and took it down, her Facebook account had 77,000 followers. He ignored that request. We did file, and copies of those filings have been resent to the IRS. According to papers from her divorce case in 2011, she was due to receive nearly $1,400 a month in child support and $500 in alimony per month for a year from her ex-husband, a real estate developer. Jerry Lambe is a journalist at Law&Crime. Laura Strickler is a senior investigative producer and reporter for NBC News. Chang does not cite any undergraduate degree in her biography, but her LinkedIn account mentions the University of the Nations, an unaccredited Christian school with volunteer teachers that says it has 600 locations "on all continents.". Showing 115 results . Michelle Muscatello Leaving WPRI: Where Is the Rhode Island Meteorologist Going? Chang's nomination to the USAID job, which would have required Senate confirmation, was withdrawn on Sept. 9 without public explanation, after the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations asked her for more documents and details about her nonprofit organization and her work experience. I am currently working with the IRS to have our status reinstated. The interviewer says Chang brought the Time cover to the interview as an example of her work. For 2015, the organization listed spending just $44,645 on salaries but more than $60,000 on "advertising and promotion" and $50,298 on travel. Harvard Business School spokesperson Mark Cautela said the school grants "alumni status" to anyone who attends certain executive education programs, even without having earned a degree there. She is based in Washington. official government biography were refuted. Have a tip we should know? Chang's trips to conflict areas in Afghanistan and Iraq were paid for by the defense contractor AMS. The Dallas residents LinkedIn mentions that she studied Development/Aid Practices at the University of the Nations, Executive Nonprofit Leadership at Southern Methodist University, Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School, and National and International Security at the Harvard Kennedy School. Simply, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has been rather busy with other activities and all nominees were subject to extensive delays. She eventually got a foothold in Washington as a fellow with the New America think tank. "I signed an NDA regarding all conversations," she told NBC News.