Media

“Fraudulent Press Activity”: The Fake U.S. Chamber Press Conference

By Michael Scherer | @michaelscherer | October 19, 2009 | +

It would have been hard to script this better. Eric Wohlschlegel, who actually works at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, had to break up a fake chamber press conference today, organized by a group that was not the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The National Press Club was not the only duped group. Reuters ran a story, and CNBC broke into its regular programming for a “Breaking News” segment on the hoax. So did Fox Business news. See video after the jump.

Amazing how easy it is to pull this stuff off. Also, check out how Larry Kudlow tries to find out if the White House was behind the hoax. (It was, in fact, the Yes Men who claimed responsibility. For more on the art of high profile deception, see their site here.)

Related Topics: u.s. chamber of commerce, yes men, Media

  • Latest on Swampland

    From left: AP; ABACAUSA
    2012 Election May 25, 2012

    The Phony War: Obama and Romney Are Debating Character, Not Policy

    More than five months from Election Day, the back-and-forth about Mitt Romney’s record at Bain already feels played out. Unfortunately, there’s good reason to expect the campaign continues in this vein indefinitely. Neither Barack Obama nor Mitt Romney are terribly interested in dwelling on policy platforms. Romney’s plan to slash spending and keep taxes low on the wealthy isn’t especially popular, at least not at any level of detail beyond a blithe promise to shrink the deficit. Meanwhile, Obama’s signature first-term achievements, like health care, the stimulus and Wall Street reform, are all unpopular or tricky to sell. (The Dodd-Frank bill is the most popular of these, but hyping it means offending wealthy donors.) So what we’re getting instead is a superficial duel about character–and, worse, one that’s based on the largely false premise that the better man can better “manage” the economy back to health.

    From our Partners

    Obama Administration Blocks Global Health Fund To Fight Disease In Developing NationsHuffPost Politics

    Barack Obama May 25, 2012

    Audacity of Dope: Tales of a Toking Teenage Obama

    We knew Barack Obama smoked weed in high school because he wrote about it in his books. What we didn’t know, until Buzzfeed posted these choice nuggets (I’m so sorry) from David Maraniss’s new book on the President’s younger years, were the giggle-worthy details of his “Choom Gang” lifestyle, which are right out of a buddy stoner flick. Obama and his friends drove around the lush Hawaii countryside, hot-boxing their VW bus and re-upping with a long-haired pizza-tossing dealer named Ray, whom Obama thanked in his yearbook “for all the good times.”

  • slowp

    “Amazing how easy it is to pull this stuff off.”

    Indeed…

  • stuartzechman

    Thanks for this report, Michael Scherer.

  • spob
  • gysgt213

    You know Michael. You would have been duped too.

  • http://wedostandup.com/?p=892 The Yes Men … – We Do Stand-Up

    [...] (More from BoingBoing and Time Magazine.) [...]

  • Matt

    This was so much fun. Maybe they can dupe Fox next…

    http://www.political-buzz.com/

  • http://24ahead.com/ kattest123

    Actually, it’s very difficult: you have to set up a site, send out press releases, and on and on. If I had some help I might be able to conduct a hoax with this.
    .
    As for the US CofC, maybe Dems or Scherer could do a follow-up to this NYT report and really follow the money that flows from companies that profit from illegal activity to the Chamber.
    .
    (Yes, I realize that neither Dems nor Time would have much interest in doing that because they’re corrupt.)

  • lupercal5

    “just thought i’d ask” lmao.
    .
    at least, that got the mainstream media to report the high profile defections at the chamber of commerce. But more importantly, since reporters weren’t even surprised, we know that the chamber’s primary concerns is to advance its political ideology, not representing legitimate businesses. As a matter of fact, the admin is currently negotiating with actual chief executives (as opposed to lobbyists from this political arm of the rnc) in order to build a coalition to get climate legislation passed.

  • kbanginmotown

    Hey SZ: have they High Sheriffs given any indication of banning rants like the lucky number below? Tho’ I haven’t been around much lately, it seems like they’ve been getting more frequent…

  • stuartzechman

    kbanginmotown:
    .
    I have no special knowledge of the IT management of this blog, but I suspect such severe moderation to be without the scope of current responsibilities.
    .
    I also would protest the banning of any commentary not literally devoted to destroying the forum by leaving myself, and launching whatever campaign I could propagate to discredit the site and its policies.
    .
    The routine banning, moderation or deletion of “undesired” commentary would be the Talibanization of this site, which I would want no part of.
    .
    Only true saboteurs must not be allowed to ruin the organic development of these sorts of enterprises.

  • freeinpa

    “fraudulent press” is redundant

  • sacredh

    MS: Read Jay’s thread on Burris. That was the one where the action was. Interesting in a WTF kind of way.

  • michaelfury

    “Amazing how easy it is to pull this stuff off.”

    So it would seem:

    http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/black-box/

  • rustyreturns

    Actually the Obama Administration is trying to “marginalize” Fox News, and the rest of the MSM are sitting idly by and allowing it to happen. Shame on you TIME.
    .
    Where do you stand on freedom of the Press? Shall you continue your complacency, and allow the Obama Administration to strong arm the media? Who will be there to come to your side as you stay silent?
    .

  • sacredh

    The Obama administration isn’t trying to marginalize Fox News. They’re merely pointing out the lies and distortions that Fox passes along as news. Fox is entertainment for the right wing. Of the base, for the base and by the base.

  • grape_crush

    I dunno, Michael…LM’s posts have me suspended between pity and car wreck fascination…I almost want her to continue; it’ll be interesting, at least until she remembers to take her meds.
    .
    At the very least, it’s good for a few more page hits, which is what’s really important, right?

  • stuartzechman

    Thank you so very much for responding to commentary, Michael Scherer, it is very helpful in maintaining this forum.

  • destor23

    Have you ever done the truly freaky thing and visited her Web site?

  • sacredh

    I have. It’s everything one would expect.

  • nflfoghorn

    Is it just me or are the media getting duped easier than ever before? First the balloon thing (how can anyone breathe helium for that long?) now this. Did business cards become official IDs all of a sudden?

  • nflfoghorn

    Huh???

  • http://theblindspotsofgod.wordpress.com lawyermommy

    Mr. Scherer,

    Swampland not only has elite and seasoned journalists but is also a forum where ideas are freely exchanged, frequently. I am a frequent commenter here and enjoy this site tremendously.

    “StaurtSzchman and his numerous identities have been fingered and so is now asking for an end to that freedom of speech in Swampland all in his desperate bid to stay hidden here and elsewhere while violently preying, assaulting and violate the innocent public.

    I am absolutely certain of my facts regarding this man, he is a violent serial offender. This man who uses the alias “StaurtSzchman and so many other aliases on this site is a criminal. I make these categorical statements with the knowledge this is a public forum.

    Rather than engage in his usual brazen efforts to manipulate forums where he usually targets people and then stalks, robs and violates them, he is now calling on the author of the article to stifle free speech in so far as it exposes his scams and continuing criminal conduct.

    If he wishes to dispute my identification of him as one of the most vicious online Thugs and technology adroit criminals in recently history, he can use the judicial system to do so.

    To date, still unprosecuted, this felon continues to commit the most vicious forms of technology enabled crimes against innocent women like me and our children.

    LM

    http://theblindspotsofgod.wordpress.com/

  • billiecat

    I think the banning of someone because they exhibit signs of mental illness would give cause for an action under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Plus, it would really cut down on site traffic, and leave many of us with no place to post!

  • freeinpa

    While the MSM media has become complicit in allowing the WH to lie, abridge liberties and generally abrogate their duties for purely partisan reasons.

    The WH and liberals distaste for FOX says less about FOX and more about those who claim openness and freedoms while trying to squash any dissent.

  • Ffred

    Ever see the movie “Ace in the Hole?” People haven’t really changed, just the technology.

  • Paul-no not that one

    I don’t think anyone from the left side of the aisle would object to some scrutiny being applied to the CofC.
    .
    Thanks for joining us Kattest.

  • alaskanturkey

    Are you Orly Taitz?

  • Paul-no not that one

    “Did business cards become official IDs all of a sudden?”
    .
    Never failed Jim Rockford.

  • sevenoaks07

    Why are you insulting Orly Dis-Taitz? Heh! Heh!

  • Paul-no not that one

    I think this has all been a terrible misunderstanding.

    stuartzechman posts here, StaurtSzchman is the one on the lam. But ain’t no sheep.

  • usesherbrain

    Seriously?
    .
    I mean, you can’t even spell his name right, you only showed up here a few months ago, and your grammar is atrocious.
    .
    Worst. Troll. Ever.
    .
    (Yes, I’m including stream-of-consciousness QH in that accounting.)
    .
    You are awarded no points and may god have mercy on your soul.
    .
    .
    ::Waves at Swampcritters and goes back to lurking::

  • http://theblindspotsofgod.wordpress.com lawyermommy

    Wow, even though I expected a blitz and extensive denials and attacks is usual following the exposure of an identified criminal–this blitz, attacks and abuse stink of real raw desperation. Alias after alias, name after name-pathetic really.

    I enjoy this site and love the articles by these seasoned journalists and will continue to read and comment here as I have done, and will also savor the brilliant articles.

    PS: “Usesherbrain” per writing.. hmmmm, I have read some of your posts elsewhere and your grammar is horrific, your posts are unoriginal and you lack any modicum of creativity or original thought. In effect, you are a truly horrible writer. So your analogies are truly hysterical, seriously!

    LM
    http://theblindspotsofgod.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/i-fully-support-gun-ownership/

  • http://aroundthesphere.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/not-all-your-hoaxes-involve-balloons-and-boys/ Not All Your Hoaxes Involve Balloons And Boys « Around The Sphere

    [...] Michael Scherer at Swampland at Time Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Bill Murrary Iffy on ’Ghostbusters 3’; Balloon Boy Ruled a HoaxCharges for Balloon Boy hoaxPolice: Balloon boy drama WAS a hoax [...]

  • nflfoghorn

    Or, I would surmise, Fletch.

  • arbitrarystring

    Somebody clearly still hasn’t gotten over the Filter vs. Stabbing Westward fanboy wars of 1995. One recycled guitar riff doesn’t make the poor guy a criminal…

  • rustyreturns

    sacredh:
    .
    Just like most liberals justify their cause, the Obama Administration is attempting to marginalize Fox News.
    .
    Obama and his henchmen/women hacks are attempting to squash the freedom of the Press, what little of the press is still out stomping the sidewalks to expose this fraud of a President anyways.
    .
    If it wasn’t for Fox News we would not have the revelations of such things as Van Jones, ACORN’s corrupt tactics and other Obama atroscities to date.
    .
    As a matter of fact, without Fox’s great reporting, the liberal media as represented on this site would continue their farce just like the idiots did that Michael writes about on this blog attempting to fake their way through a press conference impersonating the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
    .
    Media matters, but only when they tell the truth. Most news on the liberal Press and Media is simply Liberal lies and talking points, to further the agenda of the now elected Socialist President of the United States of America.

  • usesherbrain

    As I only have about 6 posts to this alias in total, I’ll assume there’s someone else out there who “uses her brain.”
    .
    Nice redirection, though.

  • sacredh

    This site isn’t liberal media. It’s firmly center-right. It only looks liberal if you’re so far to right that republican talking points are the only source of the “truth”. If media matters, but only when they tell the truth, then Fox surely doesn’t matter at all. Socialist President? Where’s his birth certificate?

  • http://theblindspotsofgod.wordpress.com lawyermommy

    I have reread the article by Scherer above and wonder about something. Since these people created a fake chamber of commerce hoax press conference AND deceived the public, should they not suffer some sort of penalty?
    Fraudulent press activity should be sanctioned, I believe.
    Their actions were clearly wrong.

    LM

    http://theblindspotsofgod.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/i-fully-support-gun-ownership/

    PS: Earlier my husband looked over my shoulder and suggested that I continue to alert people about the criminality committed by “Eve Sharon Moore” of the website “BlackFemaleInterracialMarriage blog”.
    Honestly, as a wife and mother, I believe the public should be aware of the developments in technology which expose innocent law abiding folk to this growing and vicious form of criminality and violence.

  • grape_crush

    That’s baa-ad, PuN-NTO…who is this StalwartSzechuan guy, anyway? LM makes him out to be one evil mofo…

  • stuartzechman

    LOL

  • alaskanturkey

    By husband, you mean cat, right?

  • spob

    http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1930503-2,00.html
    .
    No Swampland post linking this racy item–come on guys, youre slipping.

  • lupercal5

    apparently its not just gov’t that’s the problem. the internet, black internet thugs that is, along with interracial marriage are major threat to our world.
    .
    with the advent of beck, this was only a matter of time. this is frankly disturbing.

  • deconstructiva

    Thanks, spob, a good article. Is the lack of posts today because ALL of the swamp reporters are busy checking out these products? Will we see posts from everyone tomorrow reviewing these …or a liveblog by the Swampland Truth Commission Investigative Panel? And the Catholic thread running thru that piece, hmm, who will chair this panel? pondering…..

  • kryptik1

    grape_crush: No idea, but frankly I’m a little afraid of this StalwartSczerhands guy. Might have to look over my shoulder a little more these days

  • spob

    Thanks, alaska, that was the funniest thing I’ve read in a while. Although, at the risk of glomming onto your glory, I would have used the plural, “cats”. There cannot be just one in LM’s abode.

  • freeinpa

    sacredh

    That is the delusions liberal live under. They believe no matter how far left they are that they are center right and yet remain clueless as to the hopes, dreams and wishes of the country that is truly center-right.

    And FOX if they don’t matter where does that leave MSNBC, CNN, NYT WaPo, NPR et al. Oh yeah circling the drain.

  • http://theblindspotsofgod.wordpress.com lawyermommy

    “LOL” by StaurtSzechman and so many emm vocal “different commenters”???? How typical.

    As I stated earlier, despite the oupouring of “support” and invective posted under your many ‘aliases” on this esteemed site in an effort to intimidate and cow me– nothing has changed, the truth about who you are is immutable. The process is slow but you have been and are being investigated and will be prosecuted.

    It is on record and you have been identified beyond any modicum of doubt as the technologically adroit felon who brutally stalks, harasses, criminally menaces, violates, robs and molests innocent women and their children. You can be viewed on the site http://www.akbarshabazz.com

    As a mother and wife, I believe that you should be stopped from abusing, stalking, violating, molesting and harassing innocent women (like me) and their children.

    My remarks here which unequivocally identify you as a criminal can be challenged in a court of law.
    Do so.

    LM

    http://theblindspotsofgod.wordpress.com/

  • http://2thirdsrocks.wordpress.com 2thirdsrocks

    Something even more disturbing. Just checked the top five shows in the 5:00 slot. Beck is no.1 AGAIN! Ohhh, we’re doomed.

  • Paul-no not that one

    “the top five shows in the 5:00 slot”
    .
    Or as it is known by the average FNC viewer “late dinner” time.

  • http://2thirdsrocks.wordpress.com 2thirdsrocks

    Hmmmm……

  • sacredh

    This site is center-right. I’m left-center. Many of the posters are left-center. I look at MSNBC as mostly entertainment, not news. Just like Fox but without the crying and screaming. I very seldom watch any news on the television. It looks like all spin to me. I’m not under delusion that I’m center right or even mostly center. I’m firmly and proudly in the left column.

  • Cliff

    I feel like I missed Crazy Christmas while I was gone, featuring LawyerMommy and StaurtSzchman.

  • sacredh

    I’m sure it’s not over. With any luck it will turn into something Pythonesque.

  • sacredh

    The thread on Burris is enough to make you fail a drug test.

  • http://2thirdsrocks.wordpress.com 2thirdsrocks

    Maybe she finally nabbed him.

  • kbanginmotown

    ::wiping soda from screen:: Brilliant!

  • Cliff

    The reason I say it feels like I missed something is that it looks like some of the posts above got scrubbed.
    .
    And when I read that she has a “Master of Laws,” that’s when I felt like I was watching a Python skit.

  • sacredh

    That was really good. If this was a “1000 Words”, I’d have called a win.

  • Exiled_At_Home (formerly Neo)

    LM
    ~
    Just to make sure I have my facts straight here, are you suggesting that Stuart is one and the same with your so-called “Black Interracial Marriage” stalker? I think that’s the term you were always using. In any event, if that is your position, it may do you well you to realize that Stuart has been posting on the Swamp for longer than I have (at least 6 or 7 months). Given that your arrival followed his, and not the other way around, I find no grounds for your ludicrous claim that he is stalking you. If anything, the other way around. Psycho.

  • http://theblindspotsofgod.wordpress.com lawyermommy

    As I have stated here repeatedly, this black man “StaurtSzechman” and his numerous Caucasian sounding aliases has been identified beyond a modicum of doubt as the criminal.

    He owns many scam organization and runs numerous sites replete with fraud with fabricated officials for whom he has created elaborate histories. As an example David Almasi the so called White Head of the “Project 21″ BLACK CONSERVATIVES organization, and almost ALL the officers of the scam “Center for Environmental and Climate Reform” DO NOT EXIST.

    However, even the non existent Executive officer, David Almasi, “The WHITE MALE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR” of this BLACK CONSERVATIVE COALITION has a face book page in which the pictures of many unwitting online users are used as his likeness. This is fraudulent, criminal misrepresentation and a variant of the Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud.

    You can view “StaurtSzechman” and his numerous aliases on http://www.akbarshabazz.com Yes, the Blackman on that site is “StuartSzechman”
    Shabazz contributes to the Associated Press and other Media outlets using numerous other aliases as well.

    Innocent women and children (like me) have been targeted, violated and raped by these criminals Riley and Shabazz. Brutal Attacks which continue to date.

    As I stated previously, if he disputes my statements and findings which categorically identify him as a Criminal, Stalker, Rapist and Molester, rather than release a torrent of defenses using alias after alias– he should go to court and file charges.

    I am doing all I can to get the criminals “Eve Sharon Moore” of the websites Blackfemaleinterracialblog” aka “Lisa Vasquez” of the “Blackwomenblowthetrumpetblog” and her husband A Black African Predator ( “Akbar Shabazz”) into the penal system. I am also working with law enforcement and some fellow lawyers to make sure they are stopped, apprehended,prosecuted and jailed.

    I hope my story will be investigated and reported by one the seasoned reporters on this site. The public should be made aware of these latest breed of technology adroit felons like Riley and Shabazz who patrol the web committing heinous crimes while hiding under the cover of a vast and intricate web, the Internet.

    LM

    http://theblindspotsofgod.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/i-fully-support-gun-ownership/

  • http://theblindspotsofgod.wordpress.com lawyermommy

    General Additional Information:

    Some comments disappeared from this site yesterday, described by one “StuartSzechmans” Aliases as having “been scrubbed” by Scherer, something I know the Time Journalists “Scherer did not do, neither did the main IT departments of Time or WordPress.

    Here is some basic information: one of the main crimes for which Cyber bots like Shabazz and Riley are known is their criminal ability to surreptitiously break in and alter sites like this to manipulate and alter data.

    WordPress blogs which hosts this site is one of the favorite sites favored for easy entry and manipulation by Technology Adroit criminals like “StaurtSzechman” aka “AkbarShabzz”.

    “StuartSzechman” aka “AkbarShabazz” also of the “Field Negro Site” offers computer services on some of his numerous sites. Please note that The different “break in and alter information” methods is freely shared and discussed on so many illegal Cyber Robbers (hacker) and Cyber-felon venues all over the Internet e.g http://www.techstroke.com/change-or-edit-any-website-inside-browser-javascript-hack.html.

    Shabazz and Riley and other criminals of their ilk use their criminal technology dexterity to alter and change information on sites like this and others.
    Sometimes, they also effect undetectable escapes after committing the alterations and changes on legitimate sites.

    These cyber felons backdate aliases, commenters dates of entry and comments, they also include and alter existing aliases, delete information, change comments and use fake IP addresses, locations etc. hiding to avoid detection.

    They alter, backdate, include names and aliases which did not hitherto exist, create a digital chain for them, alter, change and co-opt comments belonging to “grandfathered”commenters who no longer appear on the forum etc. etc.

    They also include new commenters and comments to “aged” articles, delete information, backdate, misrepresent, alter data– and read the emails of staff– while these cyberbots craft their exist to ensure lack of entry and detection.

    WordPress blog hosting provider is a haven for technology criminals who generally implement the usual psychopathic acts of vicious cybercriminals of their ilk—

    Shabazz” aka StaurtSzechman and “Eve Sharon Moore” are known Cyber Robbers who are criminally dexterous in the art of break ins, extensive digital fabrication and alteration as in the case of “Project 21″. Project 21 is one of his scam organizations also called the “Black Conservatives site” and almost all its officers despite the fabricated long digital DO NOT EXIST.

    The day of the easily identified “hack” of break in is long gone. We now have raging criminals whose mass fraud and nefarious acts of crime necessarily dictate their increasingly desperate acts of subterfuge, vicious prevarication, lies and brazen break ins and alterations of sites like this.

    LM

    http://theblindspotsofgod.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/i-fully-support-gun-ownership/

blog comments powered by Disqus