SC

More On Professor Smarty Pants

A few days ago this website posted a big story on Richard Routh, a professor at the University of South Carolina-Upstate who is allegedly using taxpayer time and resources to promote a hare brained higher education investment scheme. Not only that, his whole pitch is based around what a bunch…

A few days ago this website posted a big story on Richard Routh, a professor at the University of South Carolina-Upstate who is allegedly using taxpayer time and resources to promote a hare brained higher education investment scheme.

Not only that, his whole pitch is based around what a bunch of raging idiots his public school students are …

(To read our report, click here).

Since this story published, FITS has been inundated with additional information about this scammer – who is also apparently using taxpayer time and resources to support another one of his “businesses.”

According to his website CIOExcellence.com, Routh is an “executive coach” who gets paid $300 an hour for his services …

Your executive coach will spend anywhere from one to four hours per month with you—whatever works best for your needs and your schedule. Usually this will be on the telephone, but in some cases on an as-need basis, visits to your office can be arranged.

We charge $300/hr. for this executive coaching service. The benefit to your company will typically be noticeable and significant increases in your corporate revenues. You do the math. This investment is a no-brainer for any forward looking executive who wants to have more impact on value creation for his/her company.

The personal and professional benefits to you are a quantum leap in both your effectiveness and the prestige you will enjoy from your boss and among the other CXOs in your company.

Um …

Assuming Routh was doing this in his spare time using his own resources that would be one thing. He’s not, though.

To talk more about getting started, email Dr. Richard (Ric) Routh or call his administrative assistants, Ms. Margarita Rodriguez or Mr. Chance Hughes, at 864-503-5272 to set up a telephone appointment.

That’s a Universityh phone number, people … and not only that the “coaching” classes Routh provides are held “in the Media Center at the USC Upstate Campus in Spartanburg, South Carolina,” according to his website.

As far as we’re concerned that’s “ball game.” Or at least it should be.

Of course this is where things get interesting. According to our sources, “Rodriguez” and “Hughes” – Routh’s “administrative assistants” – are creations of his overactive imagination.

“Rodriguez and Hughes are fictional,” one source tells us. “Routh lets the calls go to voicemail and returns calls.”

Ha! What a scammer!

Anyway, FITS has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with USC-Upstate seeking additional information on Routh’s use of taxpayer resources on his various personal enterprises. We’ll be sure to let you know what we uncover …

***

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43 comments

Smirks March 20, 2013 at 9:10 am

More On, Moron… I see what you did there.

Reply
Smirks March 20, 2013 at 9:10 am

More On, Moron… I see what you did there.

Reply
Philip Branton March 20, 2013 at 10:44 am

Dear Informational Cadets and ex-CIA analysts that have stories running in WIRED Magazine………….listen up…

How has Sir Wil Folks brought to light a great informational tactic that could have been used against Sadam “Pot Luck” Hu-sane and the Taliban…!?!?

How could this very tactic be used by Colbert-Busch against Sanford to drum up media “smack” to get air play on Comedy Central…?? How would Stephen Colbert ask his viewers to “inform” the voters down at the College of Charleston and workers at Poe’s Tavern on Sullivan’s Island..???

Sir Wil Folks…..is a freakin’………GENI-ous..!!!

Cadets……….how would MONEY be leveraged by everyday voters to place their “bets” and score on the “win”…!?!!!

CADETS…..think….think like Jurors who want to get PAID like lawyers..?!?

How has Sir Wil Folks set the table for Curtis Bostic…??

Furthermore, CADETS……how will this article show the true motives of the Curtis Bos-tick campaign..!?!? What questions do you think will be asked in the run-off debate..?? Should there be a de-bate at all..?? Where will the debate be held and how does the benefactors have tie-ins back to SC Spartanburg…?? Cha—–CHINGa…!!!

Cadets….this is a CLASSIC “swan” by Sir Wil Folks….classic…!!!!!

Cadets review the movie….”Patton”..!!

Cadets…….study the overall vote count breakdown in the primary race…!!

Cadets…..your being tested..by Sir Wil Folks……do you know how to win and prove what on an overlay of what Google Earth map…???

Reply
Philip Branton March 20, 2013 at 10:44 am

Dear Informational Cadets and ex-CIA analysts that have stories running in WIRED Magazine………….listen up…

How has Sir Wil Folks brought to light a great informational tactic that could have been used against Sadam “Pot Luck” Hu-sane and the Taliban…!?!?

How could this very tactic be used by Colbert-Busch against Sanford to drum up media “smack” to get air play on Comedy Central…?? How would Stephen Colbert ask his viewers to “inform” the voters down at the College of Charleston and workers at Poe’s Tavern on Sullivan’s Island..???

Sir Wil Folks…..is a freakin’………GENI-ous..!!!

Cadets……….how would MONEY be leveraged by everyday voters to place their “bets” and score on the “win”…!?!!!

CADETS…..think….think like Jurors who want to get PAID like lawyers..?!?

How has Sir Wil Folks set the table for Curtis Bostic…??

Furthermore, CADETS……how will this article show the true motives of the Curtis Bos-tick campaign..!?!? What questions do you think will be asked in the run-off debate..?? Should there be a de-bate at all..?? Where will the debate be held and how does the benefactors have tie-ins back to SC Spartanburg…?? Cha—–CHINGa…!!!

Cadets….this is a CLASSIC “swan” by Sir Wil Folks….classic…!!!!!

Cadets review the movie….”Patton”..!!

Cadets…….study the overall vote count breakdown in the primary race…!!

Cadets…..your being tested..by Sir Wil Folks……do you know how to win and prove what on an overlay of what Google Earth map…???

Reply
Whatever March 20, 2013 at 11:51 am

Rather hear Micheal Roth than this guy.

Reply
Whatever March 20, 2013 at 11:51 am

Rather hear Micheal Roth than this guy.

Reply
Jan March 20, 2013 at 11:58 am

Professors at public and private Universities throughout SC have been doing outside consulting forever. I believe the Universities have encouraged this as an introduction to students and the business community. It builds a donor base and it enhances the reputation of the University when its professors are hired as consultants. It also allows them to pay Professors less money if they can do outside consulting and make money. So I am sure that the school does not care what this guy is doing so long as it does not interfere with his duties to the University. If it does, that is a different matter.

Are you going after all Professors who do outside consulting? Do you truly believe the others do not take calls at their office at the Universities? Do you truly believe state employees do not receive private emails through their state provided computers? Do you believe state employees never receive private calls at work? I suspect you did both all the time. You bitched when state agencies blocked employees from accessing your web site. Were they not doing so on state computers and state time? Is viewing this site not personal business?

Professors are not hourly employees. They do not work 9 to 5. They are paid a salary and they are expected to get the work done, whether its teaching a class a 9 am or grading papes at 10pm or writing a paper for a publication at 3 am. So how can you say this guy is taking private calls on state time? So why is this guy being targeted?

Here is my guess. This guy made a comment about public education in SC that did not involve shutting down the public schools and dumping taxpayer money into South Carolina’s “worst in the nation private schools.” If he had made that suggestion he would be your hero now.

Reply
matt March 20, 2013 at 3:22 pm

David “Pay to Say” Woodard of Clemson’s Political Science Department!!!!

Reply
Jan March 20, 2013 at 11:58 am

Professors at public and private Universities throughout SC have been doing outside consulting forever. I believe the Universities have encouraged this as an introduction to students and the business community. It builds a donor base and it enhances the reputation of the University when its professors are hired as consultants. It also allows them to pay Professors less money if they can do outside consulting and make money. So I am sure that the school does not care what this guy is doing so long as it does not interfere with his duties to the University. If it does, that is a different matter.

Are you going after all Professors who do outside consulting? Do you truly believe the others do not take calls at their office at the Universities? Do you truly believe state employees do not receive private emails through their state provided computers? Do you believe state employees never receive private calls at work? I suspect you did both all the time. You bitched when state agencies blocked employees from accessing your web site. Were they not doing so on state computers and state time? Is viewing this site not personal business?

Professors are not hourly employees. They do not work 9 to 5. They are paid a salary and they are expected to get the work done, whether its teaching a class a 9 am or grading papes at 10pm or writing a paper for a publication at 3 am. So how can you say this guy is taking private calls on state time? So why is this guy being targeted?

Here is my guess. This guy made a comment about public education in SC that did not involve shutting down the public schools and dumping taxpayer money into South Carolina’s “worst in the nation private schools.” If he had made that suggestion he would be your hero now.

Reply
matt March 20, 2013 at 3:22 pm

David “Pay to Say” Woodard of Clemson’s Political Science Department!!!!

Reply
Fleet March 20, 2013 at 12:04 pm

There is a Chance Hughes on Linkin. His job title is ” Administrative assistant at the Institute for CIO Excellence, Sales,and Consulting”. Prior experience has been a clerk in the library, working for the census bureau, and working inventory at Wally World.

Reply
Fleet March 20, 2013 at 12:04 pm

There is a Chance Hughes on Linkin. His job title is ” Administrative assistant at the Institute for CIO Excellence, Sales,and Consulting”. Prior experience has been a clerk in the library, working for the census bureau, and working inventory at Wally World.

Reply
major major March 20, 2013 at 2:12 pm

“Executive coach”?
I’m picturing Chris Farley from Saturday Night Live as Matt Foley–motivational speaker.
Let me guess–he’s thrice divorced and lives in a van down by the river.

Reply
major major March 20, 2013 at 2:12 pm

“Executive coach”?
I’m picturing Chris Farley from Saturday Night Live as Matt Foley–motivational speaker.
Let me guess–he’s thrice divorced and lives in a van down by the river.

Reply
Shitfor Brains March 20, 2013 at 8:30 pm

So the dumbass that thinks he will turn a million dollar investment into a hundred million in 5 years ON AN ONLINE school thinks he can charge $300 an hour for phone consultation? What kind of idiots are teaching at USC Spartanburg oops USC Cupcake.

Reply
Shitfor Brains March 20, 2013 at 8:30 pm

So the dumbass that thinks he will turn a million dollar investment into a hundred million in 5 years ON AN ONLINE school thinks he can charge $300 an hour for phone consultation? What kind of idiots are teaching at USC Spartanburg oops USC Cupcake.

Reply
Tom Less March 20, 2013 at 8:36 pm

Its all about trust.

Reply
Tom Less March 20, 2013 at 8:36 pm

Its all about trust.

Reply
Whammy Tailbigg March 20, 2013 at 10:07 pm

is my butt big? what does thick mean? is that like a thick milkshake? I like a thick milkshake ecksept when it gets me brainyfreeze. Cookout has good milkshakes. They are thick. thick and tasty.

Reply
Whammy Tailbigg March 20, 2013 at 10:07 pm

is my butt big? what does thick mean? is that like a thick milkshake? I like a thick milkshake ecksept when it gets me brainyfreeze. Cookout has good milkshakes. They are thick. thick and tasty.

Reply
Tom Less March 20, 2013 at 10:44 pm

Hey

Whammy, Whammy, who can I turn to?

You give me somethin’ I can hold on to

I know you think I’m like the other before

Who saw your name and number on the wall

Whammy, I got your number

I need to make you mine

Whammy, don’t change your number

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

Whammy, Whammy, you’re the girl for me

Oh, you don’t know me, but you make me so happy

I tried to call you before, but I lost my nerve

I tried my imagination, but I was disturbed

Whammy, I got your number

I need to make you mine

Whammy, don’t change your number

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

I got it, (I got it), I got it

I got your number on the wall

I got it, (I got it), I got it

For a good time, for a good time call

Whammy, don’t change your number

I need to make you mine

Whammy, I call your number

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

Whammy, Whammy, who can I turn to?

503-5272

For the price of a dime I can always turn to you

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

5272

503-5272 (5272)

503-5272 (5272)

503-5272

Reply
Tom Less March 20, 2013 at 10:44 pm

Hey

Whammy, Whammy, who can I turn to?

You give me somethin’ I can hold on to

I know you think I’m like the other before

Who saw your name and number on the wall

Whammy, I got your number

I need to make you mine

Whammy, don’t change your number

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

Whammy, Whammy, you’re the girl for me

Oh, you don’t know me, but you make me so happy

I tried to call you before, but I lost my nerve

I tried my imagination, but I was disturbed

Whammy, I got your number

I need to make you mine

Whammy, don’t change your number

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

I got it, (I got it), I got it

I got your number on the wall

I got it, (I got it), I got it

For a good time, for a good time call

Whammy, don’t change your number

I need to make you mine

Whammy, I call your number

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

Whammy, Whammy, who can I turn to?

503-5272

For the price of a dime I can always turn to you

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

503-5272

5272

503-5272 (5272)

503-5272 (5272)

503-5272

Reply
katlaurenscounty March 21, 2013 at 11:39 am

Really? I guess this is FITS first step into developing real investigations. I’m not saying there’s not a story here. I can see why inexperienced investigators would pick this as a first try instead of making a real investigation out of some of the other FITS postings. Say, on the implications FITS made in the piece about Wilson’s campaign finances. I understand that type of investigation might be too much for your first time out of the chute.

If FITS is going to try real investigative journalism and you intend to be credible, you need to join professional journalist organizations like IRE and SPJ so you can learn the tools and standards.

Otherwise FITS should stick to what you do sublimely, political satire, parody and opeds.

Reply
katlaurenscounty March 21, 2013 at 11:39 am

Really? I guess this is FITS first step into developing real investigations. I’m not saying there’s not a story here. I can see why inexperienced investigators would pick this as a first try instead of making a real investigation out of some of the other FITS postings. Say, on the implications FITS made in the piece about Wilson’s campaign finances. I understand that type of investigation might be too much for your first time out of the chute.

If FITS is going to try real investigative journalism and you intend to be credible, you need to join professional journalist organizations like IRE and SPJ so you can learn the tools and standards.

Otherwise FITS should stick to what you do sublimely, political satire, parody and opeds.

Reply
Chucky Wucky Woo March 21, 2013 at 8:03 pm

Whammy wow ur lucky wucky I used to havta drive to Lummerton to get me a good shake

Reply
Chucky Wucky Woo March 21, 2013 at 8:03 pm

Whammy wow ur lucky wucky I used to havta drive to Lummerton to get me a good shake

Reply
Tom Less March 22, 2013 at 1:03 am

Transparency is for hiding.

Reply
Chucky Wucky Woo March 24, 2013 at 1:02 am

Promises are made to be broken.

Reply
Tom Less March 22, 2013 at 1:03 am

Transparency is for hiding.

Reply
Chucky Wucky Woo March 24, 2013 at 1:02 am

Promises are made to be broken.

Reply
Tom Less March 23, 2013 at 9:52 pm

Boy you needs take that nonsense down. Now you know we, us, the whole campus community, we, u know, us, err, everybody, we, ummm, its about the culture, Yeah. the culture. It needs to change. Read that book. It was that guy before mes fault. yeah, it was all his fault. Thats why.

Reply
Whammy Tailbigg March 24, 2013 at 6:33 pm

Trusty Tom, I took care of it fer ya!!! We got it censored just like we do with all the facts! We have all the press in our back pockets excepts for that bad boy at fits. Maybe we need to send him some milkshakes!!

Reply
Tom Less March 23, 2013 at 9:52 pm

Boy you needs take that nonsense down. Now you know we, us, the whole campus community, we, u know, us, err, everybody, we, ummm, its about the culture, Yeah. the culture. It needs to change. Read that book. It was that guy before mes fault. yeah, it was all his fault. Thats why.

Reply
Whammy Tailbigg March 24, 2013 at 6:33 pm

Trusty Tom, I took care of it fer ya!!! We got it censored just like we do with all the facts! We have all the press in our back pockets excepts for that bad boy at fits. Maybe we need to send him some milkshakes!!

Reply
PossiblyInsane March 29, 2013 at 1:03 am

If “Hughes” is fictional, whose wedding was I in during the summer!? This raises all sorts of questions!

Reply
CombesItOver April 1, 2013 at 12:31 pm

Yes it does raise “all sorts” of questions. If they were students, were they compensated for their work? Were they given academic credit for work done for the professor’s business? Yes, there are, as you say, “all sorts” of questions to be answered – ethical, legal, and as pertains to the accreditation of the university. Regardless, the majority of the faculty at USC Upstate are dedicated to the mission of educating the upstate!

Reply
PossiblyInsane April 1, 2013 at 12:34 pm

They were not students when they began working. They were hired after they graduated.

Reply
PossiblyInsane March 29, 2013 at 1:03 am

If “Hughes” is fictional, whose wedding was I in during the summer!? This raises all sorts of questions!

Reply
CombesItOver April 1, 2013 at 12:31 pm

Yes it does raise “all sorts” of questions. If they were students, were they compensated for their work? Were they given academic credit for work done for the professor’s business? Yes, there are, as you say, “all sorts” of questions to be answered – ethical, legal, and as pertains to the accreditation of the university. Regardless, the majority of the faculty at USC Upstate are dedicated to the mission of educating the upstate!

Reply
PossiblyInsane April 1, 2013 at 12:34 pm

They were not students when they began working. They were hired after they graduated.

Reply
Brian May 1, 2013 at 8:52 am

Rodriguez is not fictional, she showed up to lead some of my classes at USC Upstate for Routh. Hughes I never saw, but he was on the syllabus. However, the funnier part of that is that Rodriguez, and Hughes I assume, are part of an internship program that Routh offers as part of CIO Excellence, he pitched it in our class. It is a three year internship with “guaranteed” CIO placement after successful completion. I’m sure there are some qualified and experienced CIOs out there that would pay for those odds…

Reply
Brian May 1, 2013 at 8:52 am

Rodriguez is not fictional, she showed up to lead some of my classes at USC Upstate for Routh. Hughes I never saw, but he was on the syllabus. However, the funnier part of that is that Rodriguez, and Hughes I assume, are part of an internship program that Routh offers as part of CIO Excellence, he pitched it in our class. It is a three year internship with “guaranteed” CIO placement after successful completion. I’m sure there are some qualified and experienced CIOs out there that would pay for those odds…

Reply
Professor Smarty Pants August 10, 2014 at 6:08 pm

USC Upstate will not exist in 10 years. Everything will be online!

Reply

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