01-29-2004

It never ceases to amaze us the depths some people will go to in order to present themselves to the world as something they are not. In this instance, Patrick Laverne Simpson managed to get himself hired back in 1995 as Fire Chief for the City of Muskegon, Michigan. He was the first Fire Chief hired from outside the department since it was formed in 1873. On his application he stated he was a former Navy SEAL and had a Master's Degree. The runner-up for the position who was passed over during the hiring process of this 'highly qualified' scumbag was Battalion Chief Ken Chudy, who has since become Acting Chief. Chudy draws on his experience of over 20 years as a fireman with the Muskegon Fire Department.

Simpson's forged DD-214 has some glaring errors on it which any person with military experience in the personnel arena could have instantly spotted. Even this writer, known for his disdain of paperwork, picked up many of the errors Simpson made on this official document. His vast knowledge of naval terminology and ranks seemed to be lacking when he put Chief Diver in the block for Rate or Rank. No such thing.

The block that contains Decorations, Medals, etc., Reads like this: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Nam Campaign Medal, (4) Purple Hearts, Navy Cross, Silver Star, (2) Bronze Stars, Gallantry Cross, Medal of Valor, Presidential Unit Citation, Expert Rifleman, Para-SCUBA Badge, Diver Badge.

Can you imagine a man of this 'caliber' NOT earning at least one Good Conduct Award? Where's the Vietnam Service Medal (issued by the United States Military)? How about the Combat Action Ribbon? There is also no such thing as a 'Medal of Valor, or Para-SCUBA Badge. SEALs also do not wear a Diver Badge. The Trident worn by SEALs encompasses the fact that they are qualified divers. He also doesn't mention Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia, something that all SEALs are qualified to wear.

Then just when you though you had seen it all, he left the Reenlistment Code (Block 15) as RE-4. Apparently this was the type of Code received when the Navy saw fit to can him after 17 weeks on active duty. His rank on discharge was Fireman Apprentice. Perhaps in his twisted mind he equated being a Fireman Apprentice (E-2) as somebody who should grow up to be a Fire Chief. This truth contrasts to his claims of having served for five and one half years in the Navy as a SEAL. The RE-4 code means, essentially, that the individual so rated should not be reenlisted in the Navy for any reason at all.

In the block where Education and Training Completed is found it reads: Navy Sea Air and Land Team 27 Nov 1967. All Additional Training and Service Classified Authority Office of Naval Intelligence 27 Nov 1967. There has never been a SEAL Team 27!

His glowing academic record included a 'diploma mill' Master's Degree. The college, Century University, offers "distance learning degrees, " giving credits for "previous work experience, previous course work, certified workshops, seminars and related military and company training," according to its web site. Some of its selling features are: "No classes, no seminars, no campus time."

The fact that forging a DD-214 is a felony must have never crossed his mind. When the questions regarding his 'heroic' background were raised among some of his firemen, a quick email to VeriSEAL got the already-anticipated truth. The guy is as phony as snake's milk. The Mayor of Muskegon, Steve Warmington, along with the City Manager Byron Mazade, received packages of information about Simpson's wildly exaggerated military claims. In a typical copout, which we've heard many times, Warmington stated, "I don't believe it's a requirement to have military service or to have been a Navy SEAL to become fire chief. But if the allegations are, in fact, true, not to be honest on a job application brings into question anybody's credibility." It certainly does, Mr. Mayor!!

On 9 October of last year, Simpson went on medical leave to nurse what is alleged to be some type of heart trouble. Since that time he has cleaned out his desk, turned in his keys, and is no longer Fire Chief of Muskegon. When officials were questioned about whether Simpson would be able to draw any kind of disability from his 'heart trouble' with the department, they answered in the negative.

There are some very apparent questions that need answers. It is quite apparent that nobody checked out Simpson's background at all. A simple Freedom of Information Act request to the National Personnel Records in St. Louis would have immediately shown his claims of military service to be bogus. An email to VeriSEAL.org would have resulted in an instantaneous confirmation of his lies as regarding his SEAL status. This should have opened up more questions about his academic background. No, this is a typical situation we at VeriSEAL have grown very used to. The right questions are not asked until something hits them squarely in the face. It is overwhelming that a person could be placed in charge of the fire department of a city of 40,000 plus people and hundreds of millions of dollars of property to protect without as much as a cursory background check. Somebody dropped the ball and it took a fireman in the department to pick it up. Oh, well. Who's next?

By Steven L. Waterman
VeriSEAL
VeriSEAL.org

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