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I-Team 10 investigation: Flexing the facts
Posted at: 08/05/2010 4:56 PM
By: Brett Davidsen | WHEC.com
A video testimonial by a Rochester bodybuilder comes under fire by the city police officers' union. They call the bodybuilder a fraud.
The locust club which represents the Rochester Police Department is now demanding an apology from local bodybuilder George Farah. They say Farah made a video falsely claiming to be a police officer injured in the line duty.
It was a promotional internet video for a supplement company part of a group of testimonials on true strength. But Farah has taken an incident that occurred in 1997, twisted the facts or created his own and tried to sell himself as a former rookie cop hurt while responding to a bank robbery.
George Farah of Webster has had a successful career as a bodybuilder, placing in many national competitions over the past decade. But it's his claims of an earlier career that have caught the attention of the union representing the Rochester Police Department.
Rochester Police Locust Club President Mike Mazzeo said, “We're angered and insulted that this individual's fraudulent account.”
He's talking about this internet video which, until recently, could be seen on the website of Optimum Nutrition -- a vitamin and supplement company Farah is affiliated with.
In it, Farah offers this testimonial. "I got a job in the police department. And, uh, basically, I was there...a rookie...brand new. I wasn't even working. I got a call and I heard that one of the banks was getting robbed and it happens that I was in the area. So I stopped by to help and somehow, I really don't like to talk about it too much because it hinds of brings back really bad memories, but to make the story short. I got shot three times."
A compelling story, but it isn't exactly true.
Farah was the victim of a serious shooting back in august of 1997 on Ringle Street near Chili Avenue along with another man but there was no bank robbery and the union says Farah has never been a police officer.
Mazzeo said, “We're further outraged that he used this phony story to portray himself as a hero who has overcome adversity to be a role model for others."
Today the locust club brought in three Rochester Police officers who are still recovering after having been shot while on duty -- Anthony DiPonzio, Daniel Brochu and Luca Martini.
Officer Daniel Brochu said, “For me, quite frankly, I feel insulted. I'm totally offended.”
Farah's own website only claims he was shot in a robbery attempt.
I-Team 10 went to his house Thursday morning but a nanny there said he was at work and referred us to his attorney, who declined comment until he's spoken to his client.
In the meantime, the district attorney's office says the video doesn't provide enough proof that Farah has committed any crimes by telling his tale but is seeking more information about the bodybuilder.
First Assistant District Attorney Sandra Doorley said, “What I want to do as a representative of the district attorney's office is to implore the community, if you've been defrauded by Mr. Farah or been victimized by him in any way, to either contact your local law enforcement, Rochester Police Department, or the district attorney's office and we will thoroughly investigate any allegations."
The police union is asking for an apology from Farah directly and they're demanding that Optimum Nutrition sever ties with him.
The supplement company has removed the video testimonial from its website. (See YouTube below)
As for the company standing behind Farah, as of now it appears they are to some degree. His likeness still shows up on their website. However, in an e-mail to the police union, a manager for Optimum Nutrition says they are sorry they posted the fabrication, that they took Farah at his word and they will be taking some action against him. It is unknown what that action will be.
Click here to watch the promotional video (Courtesy Optimumnutrition.com)
Ffwd to :45 to get beyond the police department part. This is a man who apparently recovered from a devastating injury. Did he lie? That seems obvious. But you gotta wonder why? Who here is beyond insecurity, ultimately confident?
What's fact and what's fiction? Part of me is encouraging forgiveness but part of me, hey, wants verification that he was shot.
Good luck to George Farah.
If he has that true inner strength he mentions in the advertisement then he'll make amends to those he may have harmed.
Posted at: 08/05/2010 4:56 PM
By: Brett Davidsen | WHEC.com
The locust club which represents the Rochester Police Department is now demanding an apology from local bodybuilder George Farah. They say Farah made a video falsely claiming to be a police officer injured in the line duty.
It was a promotional internet video for a supplement company part of a group of testimonials on true strength. But Farah has taken an incident that occurred in 1997, twisted the facts or created his own and tried to sell himself as a former rookie cop hurt while responding to a bank robbery.
George Farah of Webster has had a successful career as a bodybuilder, placing in many national competitions over the past decade. But it's his claims of an earlier career that have caught the attention of the union representing the Rochester Police Department.
Rochester Police Locust Club President Mike Mazzeo said, “We're angered and insulted that this individual's fraudulent account.”
He's talking about this internet video which, until recently, could be seen on the website of Optimum Nutrition -- a vitamin and supplement company Farah is affiliated with.
In it, Farah offers this testimonial. "I got a job in the police department. And, uh, basically, I was there...a rookie...brand new. I wasn't even working. I got a call and I heard that one of the banks was getting robbed and it happens that I was in the area. So I stopped by to help and somehow, I really don't like to talk about it too much because it hinds of brings back really bad memories, but to make the story short. I got shot three times."
A compelling story, but it isn't exactly true.
Farah was the victim of a serious shooting back in august of 1997 on Ringle Street near Chili Avenue along with another man but there was no bank robbery and the union says Farah has never been a police officer.
Mazzeo said, “We're further outraged that he used this phony story to portray himself as a hero who has overcome adversity to be a role model for others."
Today the locust club brought in three Rochester Police officers who are still recovering after having been shot while on duty -- Anthony DiPonzio, Daniel Brochu and Luca Martini.
Officer Daniel Brochu said, “For me, quite frankly, I feel insulted. I'm totally offended.”
Farah's own website only claims he was shot in a robbery attempt.
I-Team 10 went to his house Thursday morning but a nanny there said he was at work and referred us to his attorney, who declined comment until he's spoken to his client.
In the meantime, the district attorney's office says the video doesn't provide enough proof that Farah has committed any crimes by telling his tale but is seeking more information about the bodybuilder.
First Assistant District Attorney Sandra Doorley said, “What I want to do as a representative of the district attorney's office is to implore the community, if you've been defrauded by Mr. Farah or been victimized by him in any way, to either contact your local law enforcement, Rochester Police Department, or the district attorney's office and we will thoroughly investigate any allegations."
The police union is asking for an apology from Farah directly and they're demanding that Optimum Nutrition sever ties with him.
The supplement company has removed the video testimonial from its website. (See YouTube below)
As for the company standing behind Farah, as of now it appears they are to some degree. His likeness still shows up on their website. However, in an e-mail to the police union, a manager for Optimum Nutrition says they are sorry they posted the fabrication, that they took Farah at his word and they will be taking some action against him. It is unknown what that action will be.
Click here to watch the promotional video (Courtesy Optimumnutrition.com)
| YouTube Video | |
Ffwd to :45 to get beyond the police department part. This is a man who apparently recovered from a devastating injury. Did he lie? That seems obvious. But you gotta wonder why? Who here is beyond insecurity, ultimately confident?
What's fact and what's fiction? Part of me is encouraging forgiveness but part of me, hey, wants verification that he was shot.
Good luck to George Farah.
If he has that true inner strength he mentions in the advertisement then he'll make amends to those he may have harmed.
