Dongguk University Shocked at Statements by Yale Officials
2009-10-30 00:10:01 -
Attorneys for Dongguk University expressed shock and questioned the veracity of Yale University statements given in response to a New York Times article : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. concerning Dongguk’s lawsuit against Yale. In the suit, according to the Times, Dongguk, “accused Yale of negligence and a cover-up after it mistakenly confirmed a Dongguk professor’s claims of having a Ph.D. from
Yale.”
Documents uncovered in the litigation show that despite numerous attempts by Dongguk requesting that Yale investigate the veracity of the documents confirming the degree and that Yale had received its original letter of inquiry, Yale did nothing, never checking its files. Both documents were later found only after a subpoena was issued by the U.S.
Department of Justice during a Korean criminal probe. Instead, in statements to Dongguk and the Korean media, Yale, “denied having received the original inquiry from Dongguk and said documents suggesting otherwise were forged,” according to the article. Yale’s response today to the Times did not deny the University mistakenly confirmed the degree and later denied it, but instead attempted to divert attention from its misconduct by bringing up accusations against a board member associated with a Foundation that funds the University. The board member in question has no connection to the matter.
"Dongguk University is shocked that Yale University, one of America's most prestigious academic institutions, has refused to take responsibility for its negligent, reckless and, ultimately, deceitful conduct,” said Robert Weiner, an attorney for Dongguk and a partner at McDermott, Will and Emery. “If that isn’t bad enough, Yale is now trying to change the subject by engaging in a smear campaign, in an effort to blame Dongguk for the substantial damage that Yale caused Dongguk.”
Weiner’s partner at McDermott and Yale alumnus, Lanny J. Davis, added, “I find the misconduct that Yale’s leadership continues to engage in and the tactics it is using to avoid responsibility reprehensible and in direct contradiction to the University’s 250 year old motto, 'Lux et Veritas,' or 'Light and Truth'. As an alumnus and former chairman of the Yale Daily News, I believe the Yale Corporation has an obligation to investigate this matter fully.”
“After Error by Yale, Anger and a Court Fight Ensue,” by John Schwartz, New York Times.(Available at:
www.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/education/30yale.html?_r=2&ref=us :
cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. )
For Dongguk University:Robert Weiner, 212-547-5408 or 917-690-1488Lanny
J. Davis, 202-756-8211 or 301-928-7532Eileen M. O'Connor,
202-756-8222 or 202-997-1234
