USJA rules on Matthew Morton

[kumite]

Found this posted on another website:


I can now announce that the USJA Ethics Committee has completed their investigation of this case. I filed a formal ethics complaint with USJA in order to initiate an investigation of the rank and membership status of Mr. Mathew Morton who had been accused of using a modified copy of my Kodokan Certificate and other false documents to obtain a USJA rank and to teach judo.

I want to thank the USJA Ethics Committee for the thoroughness of their investigation and their fair evaluation of the evidence. I also want to thank the members of Bullshido who preserved and analyzed the evidence, and shared the results here and on my site at http://judoforum.com (http://judoforum.com/).

USJA did a professional investigation and took appropriate action. Mr. Morton has apologized to me, and I accept his apology. My offer to test him, or prepare him for a future rank test, remains. I would be happy to help him overcome this and return to judo when his suspension ends.

The USJA Ethics Committee essentially found that all of Mr. Morton's judo rank and coaching certification diplomas were fraudulent, as well as his USJA annual membership card from 1996-1997.

The following Ethics Committee recommendations have now been approved by the USJA Board of Directors:

1 - Mr. Morton should be suspended from the USJA for two years. He can apply for reinstatement provided he has shown compliance with the recommendations numbered 2 and 3.

2 - Mr. Morton should hold no official USJA judo rank until so authorized by examination and verification of his judo knowledge. Accommodations should be made should Mr. Morton supply adequate proof of physical disability.

3 - A permanent "flag" be placed on his USJA record to indicate his judo rank should not be validated without being examined by an examiner selected by the Rank Examiners Committee Chair.

4 - To protect other members, notice of Mr. Morton's suspension should be posted on the USJA website, and the USJF and USA Judo should also be notified as to our action.

[Steve]

I'm very interested in how this turns out.

[Blindside]

He can still teach TKD.

[Bob Hubbard]

I saw some announcements on webforums, however as of right now see NOTHING on the official forum http://judoforum.com/index.php?showforum=25 or official website http://www.usja-judo.org/. Or, did I miss it?

[Daniel Sullivan]

I could not find it. I even looked under suspended members: http://www.usja-judo.org/Expelled/expelled.htm

No mention of him.

Daniel

[DarkPhoenix]

It won't show up on the site for a few days as the person who administers the database is on vacation. What the OP had posted was posted on another site by one of the people closely involved with the case. My sensei told me what happened with it as he is on the USJA board of directors and had vote for the suspension and stripping of rank.

EDIT:Here's the same post on judo forum.

http://judoforum.com/index.php?showtopic=38190&st=96&start=96

The owner of the forum is the person who's certs Matt may have used to obtain a 2nd Dan from the USJA.

[Dave Leverich]

By the way, thanks for revisiting the rule Bob.
While we don't want witch hunts, it's also nice to have honesty and less bogus ranks.
I've never understood why people would 'pad the stats'.

[IcemanSK]

Ok, I'm missing something. I think I came in at the end of the last act. Can someone please fill me in?

[Bob Hubbard]

Original Link
http://judoforum.com/index.php?showtopic=38190&view=findpost&p=510909

[Bob Hubbard]

Ok, I'm missing something. I think I came in at the end of the last act. Can someone please fill me in?
Short vesion:
Matt Morton was suspected of falsifying rank, certificates, etc. An investigation was done done by various sources which apparently deemed all or most of his claims to be false. The USJA did their own investigation and announced the information in the OP. Right now it's only on their forum in an investigation thread. I'm waiting on an official notice to be posted on their main website or official forum as indicated in the OP.

[Bob Hubbard]

http://www.usja-judo.org/Expelled/expelled.htm

The United States Judo Association has officially announced the suspension of Matt Morton as indicated in the OP. As a result his MartialTalk.com membership has been revoked.

[Tames D]

Is Matts revoked MT membership permanent, or only as long as his suspension is in effect?

[mwd0818]

I would personally like to see him reapply to MT - his contributions could be interesting if he truly wants to progress in a legitimate manner.

[Bob Hubbard]

At the moment, permanent. We have however in a very few cases reversed bans as circumstances change. So, if in the future he's considered an upstanding member of the martial arts community again, we may reconsider. We don't have anything against the guy personally, and to my knowledge he never did anything against us. Our whole goal with all of our policies is to be as humanly fair as we can be.

[kumite]

Seems like a temporary ban would be more suitable. That way, he can come back and explain himself at the very least. Martial arts, in my limited experience, is about honor and ethics. And while Mr. Morton showed a complete lack of that, we should leave the door open for empathy and forgivness on our part. Would'nt that be the honorable thing to do? What if he learns his lesson and gets proper credentials? Makes amends?

[Xinglu]

Seems like a temporary ban would be more suitable. That way, he can come back and explain himself at the very least. Martial arts, in my limited experience, is about honor and ethics. And while Mr. Morton showed a complete lack of that, we should leave the door open for empathy and forgivness on our part. Would'nt that be the honorable thing to do? What if he learns his lesson and gets proper credentials? Makes amends?
I believe Bob already addressed this.


We have however in a very few cases reversed bans as circumstances change. So, if in the future he's considered an upstanding member of the martial arts community again, we may reconsider.

I think this is fair. I hope Mr. Morton goes and gets his legitimate certifications and does become an upstanding member of the MA community. He has a long road a head of him.

[terryl965]

Seems like a temporary ban would be more suitable. That way, he can come back and explain himself at the very least. Martial arts, in my limited experience, is about honor and ethics. And while Mr. Morton showed a complete lack of that, we should leave the door open for empathy and forgivness on our part. Would'nt that be the honorable thing to do? What if he learns his lesson and gets proper credentials? Makes amends?


I would agree, I would also like to ask one simple question: When did MT become a place for Martial Artist, I thought anybody could join and be a member here even if they have no MA background? I am not trying to rock the boat but what does ethics have to do with being a member? We have alot of people who is unethical to some degree?

Like I said it would be great to hear his version as to why he went this route?

[Bob Hubbard]

Terry,
We welcome non-martial artists, beginners and masters alike. What this is aimed at is the guy claiming to be something he isn't, the scamist, etc. while protecting our members from them. 99% of people signing up here won't be effected or fall under this.

[mwd0818]

....99% of people signing up here won't be effected or fall under this.

Or so we hope . . . :D

[Steve]

I never said I was the ONLY 1976 World Karate Champion.

[Dave Leverich]

Lol, nice Steve :)

[terryl965]

Terry,
We welcome non-martial artists, beginners and masters alike. What this is aimed at is the guy claiming to be something he isn't, the scamist, etc. while protecting our members from them. 99% of people signing up here won't be effected or fall under this.

Thanks Bob for the answer, I am just curious why he would even do this?

[terryl965]

I never said I was the ONLY 1976 World Karate Champion.

One of my all time favorite little piece of Saturday night live.

[Bob Hubbard]

http://www.bullshido.org/Matthew_Morton

[grydth]

He can still teach TKD.

Unless his state has some licensing requirement predicated on national credentials, Mr Morton can still teach judo...... or whatever he wants.

He could create Morton Ryu...... as many have.

That's why I view this whole tempest in 2 cyberteapots with some skepticism....

[Blindside]

Unless his state has some licensing requirement predicated on national credentials, Mr Morton can still teach judo...... or whatever he wants.

He could create Morton Ryu...... as many have.

That's why I view this whole tempest in 2 cyberteapots with some skepticism....

That is true, he can. But should anyone take the time to do an online search for "Matt Morton Judo" you will hit two Bullshido threads and the MartialTalk thread about him in the top 4 hits, the fourth being Matt's own Judo website. If you google "Matt Morton Tae Kwon Do" you get 3 pertinent MartialTalk threads and a Bullshido threads in the top 4. So at least the consumer has the opportunity to find out that their potential instructor is at the very least extremely dishonest.

[shesulsa]

So ... just a question here ... was Morton *given* these faked certificates as though they were genuine, or do we have any idea?

[Xinglu]

So ... just a question here ... was Morton *given* these faked certificates as though they were genuine, or do we have any idea?

If you read on the Bullshido link that Bob gave (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1222848&postcount=24), they show how that is not possible. If they were given to him, there is no way the digital images would have evidence of Photoshopping. If the certificates were fake and he had scanned those then there would have been a lot more looking needed. Next, one of his certificate has his name on it, but the japanese has someone else's and is dated in the japanese around the same time he would have been born. Also one of his membership cards has the wrong date on it because they date differently putting year first. His altered document has 02 first (clearly he meant feb) but it would read 1902 according to the way they date things. Those are just a few things, but they take you through step by step and link to all the relevant information and his own words as he posted them both here and there.

[shesulsa]

If you read on the Bullshido link that Bob gave (http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1222848&postcount=24), they show how that is not possible. If they were given to him, there is no way the digital images would have evidence of Photoshopping. If the certificates were fake and he had scanned those then there would have been a lot more looking needed. Next, one of his certificate has his name on it, but the japanese has someone else's and is dated in the japanese around the same time he would have been born. Also one of his membership cards has the wrong date on it because they date differently putting year first. His altered document has 02 first (clearly he meant feb) but it would read 1902 according to the way they date things. Those are just a few things, but they take you through step by step and link to all the relevant information and his own words as he posted them both here and there.

I read the article. Just curious if someone else had done the editing and then given them to Matt. This was a claim of his to me, though those messages are now lost to the Great MT Data Loss of 2009.

What a mess.

[Daniel Sullivan]

That is true, he can. But should anyone take the time to do an online search for "Matt Morton Judo" you will hit two Bullshido threads and the MartialTalk thread about him in the top 4 hits, the fourth being Matt's own Judo website. If you google "Matt Morton Tae Kwon Do" you get 3 pertinent MartialTalk threads and a Bullshido threads in the top 4. So at least the consumer has the opportunity to find out that their potential instructor is at the very least extremely dishonest.
The other consideration is how much of this is known in his local area. If the MA community in the area where he teaches knows of this, and if they talk to one another, in a local area, deserving or not, one can still get a rep as a fraud, and the news of his suspension can certainly get around.

Daniel

[d1jinx]

this is all pretty good, and I'm following whats going on. but I am curious to know how this all got started. What started this. Who did he piss off or what did he do to get revieled as a fraud. I wish USAT would do the same. But if they did.... some of them would get revieled...

[crushing]

this is all pretty good, and I'm following whats going on. but I am curious to know how this all got started. What started this. Who did he piss off or what did he do to get revieled as a fraud. I wish USAT would do the same. But if they did.... some of them would get revieled...

It is pretty much spelled out @ http://www.bullshido.org/Matthew_Morton in the section called "Background of Bullshido's Interest in Matthew Morton"

[Blindside]

this is all pretty good, and I'm following whats going on. but I am curious to know how this all got started. What started this. Who did he piss off or what did he do to get revieled as a fraud. I wish USAT would do the same. But if they did.... some of them would get revieled...

It started of when a prospective student was looking for verification about Matt's supposed accomplishments sent a request to another judo instructor to see if he had any information. That judo instructor tossed it up onto Bullshido and things started getting questionable when they realized he was claiming a BJJ blackbelt as well. Things went downhill from there, with Matt posting increasing weird explanations as the thread continued.

[frank raud]

I read the article. Just curious if someone else had done the editing and then given them to Matt. This was a claim of his to me, though those messages are now lost to the Great MT Data Loss of 2009.

What a mess.

In reference to Matt's BJJ black belt claims, he said he was essentially cross ranked, so it is POSSIBLE that someone else produced the certificates and gave them to Matt, he thinking they were genuine. Problem with that is he has two separate BJJ certificates. Fool me once...?

In regards to his judo certificate, it seems very odd that a legitmate judo teacher would give Matt a certificate that was faked off of Neil Ohlenkamp's online certificate.

Either multiple persons at different times defrauded Matt with essentially the same technique, or Matt made the forgeries. Occam's razor says....

[grydth]

That is true, he can. But should anyone take the time to do an online search for "Matt Morton Judo" you will hit two Bullshido threads and the MartialTalk thread about him in the top 4 hits, the fourth being Matt's own Judo website. If you google "Matt Morton Tae Kwon Do" you get 3 pertinent MartialTalk threads and a Bullshido threads in the top 4. So at least the consumer has the opportunity to find out that their potential instructor is at the very least extremely dishonest.

A rational observation on your part.....but with some care in creating his new ryu, Morton could largely defeat such a search.

Also, those who've been the subjects of Internet canings in the past appear to have prospered quite well in the physical world. I do not see that even highly controversial figures have been driven from MA.

The character who I believe set the neg rep record here, one Soke Calkins, has a website which shows a new dojo and more students than ever.

[Bob Hubbard]

And last I heard, Ashida Kim, George Dillman and HaHa Lung are all doing quite well for themselves.

[Steve]

In fairness, though, I think that there's a certain culling of the herd that has to occur. This idea that frauds are still out there making money keeps getting brought up as though it in some way negates the effort of exposing them. You can't save people who aren't interested in being saved and you can't argue with crazy people. Or as the old saying goes, you can bring the horse to water, but you can't make him drink.

Speaking from personal experience, I found bullshido to be extremely helpful for me when I realized I wasn't getting what I needed out of my old MA school. While I'm sure there are people out there happily giving their money away to frauds, I'm confident that there are many people who read the links and end up finding quality, reputable schools as a result.

[Xinglu]

In reference to Matt's BJJ black belt claims, he said he was essentially cross ranked, so it is POSSIBLE that someone else produced the certificates and gave them to Matt, he thinking they were genuine.

Possible? Sure, all things are possible. Probable? When considering ALL of the forgeries he was caught with, most certainly not.

[ciscodog]

Well he can start his own style, but seeing as he isnt qualified too, that would probably make life harder. Matt Morton supplied his certs, they where forged. If you pass yourself off with false rank, odds are your going to get caught eventually. If you make up your own style to justify false rank, well your even worse in my opinion.

[yorkshirelad]

He should have gone the USMA route. Phil Porter, sorry...uh..um..O'Sensei would've given him godan if he'd asked for it.

[Bob Hubbard]

Well he can start his own style, but seeing as he isnt qualified too, that would probably make life harder. Matt Morton supplied his certs, they where forged. If you pass yourself off with false rank, odds are your going to get caught eventually. If you make up your own style to justify false rank, well your even worse in my opinion.
I agree with you. But. One only has to look at the cases of Tom Carnes and Soke Calkins to see what having unverifiable and fake creds can do. Carnes got hammered by the FMA and JKD community yet still is out teaching seminars, and Calkins got hammered for all his creds, yet continues to teach, referee and grow his schools. (threads on both in horror stories and great debate areas here)

I've been in enough schools when prospects walked in to know that almost nobody asks to see the certs, or asks lineage questions.

Worst case for Morton, he sends $400 and a vhs tape to some po box in Florida, gets back a shiny ring and is now a Soke of Morton-Ryu Judo. Instant cred.

[Humble Student]

By the way, thanks for revisiting the rule Bob.
While we don't want witch hunts, it's also nice to have honesty and less bogus ranks.
I've never understood why people would 'pad the stats'.

Simple and answer to pad there bank accounts and there ego.

[iron_ox]

Hello all,

Wanted to chime in on this as I have been on the receiving end of some of Mr. Morton's misconceptions of the martial art I teach.

As of today, November 14, 2009, all his websites are still active - and still advertise him as the Judo teacher for the Moo Sul Kwan - now, for those that might not know, Morton's father is a high ranking member of this organization - YET they have taken no action, and allowed him to create websites using their name and his dubious credentials.

Why have they done nothing about this now? To me, it screams that the entire organization is questionable - or they would have acted - there are other members of this group here and elsewhere - they must have found this mess distasteful enough to have the higher ups know - but it does not seem that happened...

Frankly what annoys me most is the fact that Morton garnered sympathy from members of this forum for his "injuries" while lying to them the whole time...

[jim777]

Honestly, I don't know if the whole mess makes me angry or sad. I find the lack of integrity to be appalling. It saddens me greatly that people think they are somehow unworthy of respect and admirration if they don't achieve 'superstar' status at something, anything.

[FieldDiscipline]

This is really, really sad to read.

[zDom]

Hello all,

Wanted to chime in on this as I have been on the receiving end of some of Mr. Morton's misconceptions of the martial art I teach.

As of today, November 14, 2009, all his websites are still active - and still advertise him as the Judo teacher for the Moo Sul Kwan - now, for those that might not know, Morton's father is a high ranking member of this organization - YET they have taken no action, and allowed him to create websites using their name and his dubious credentials.

Why have they done nothing about this now? To me, it screams that the entire organization is questionable - or they would have acted - there are other members of this group here and elsewhere - they must have found this mess distasteful enough to have the higher ups know - but it does not seem that happened...

Frankly what annoys me most is the fact that Morton garnered sympathy from members of this forum for his "injuries" while lying to them the whole time...


I hope, Kevin, that your children (if you have some or ever in the future do have some) never do something as embarrassing as this must be for my instructor, Mike Morton.

My instructor IS the most respected hapkido instructor within MSK and in the region, but he is not "a high ranking member of this organization" in the sense that he has decision-making responsibilities for the organization.

Matt Morton is not instructed by his father and does not attend our classes.

Out of respect for my instructor, I am refusing to offer public comment on this issue.

As for your comment that "the entire organization is questionable" I would very much like for you to explain what you mean.

What is it, exactly, that you are questioning about MSK other than the organization's apparent inability to edit Web sites in a timely manner?

[IcemanSK]

I hate to add fuel to this fire, but in reality, I'm merely pointing out where Matt has started a new fire. In August, Matt told me he tested for 2nd Dan TKD under the USNTF. At the same time he claimed on Bullshido that he was a 1st or 2nd gup TKD. Today, I saw this on TKDSpace posted by Matt.

Wow,
I was quite pleased with the outcome of my hard work. On March 8 I took my 3rd dan test. This past Saturday, the 27th I was awarded my 3rd Dan Certificate. I tested with GM Tim Smith of the World Chang Moo Kwan and the United States National Tae Kwon Do Federation.


It seems like more of the same from Matt.

[d1jinx]

I hate to add fuel to this fire, but in reality, I'm merely pointing out where Matt has started a new fire. In August, Matt told me he tested for 2nd Dan TKD under the USNTF. At the same time he claimed on Bullshido that he was a 1st or 2nd gup TKD. Today, I saw this on TKDSpace posted by Matt.

Wow,
I was quite pleased with the outcome of my hard work. On March 8 I took my 3rd dan test. This past Saturday, the 27th I was awarded my 3rd Dan Certificate. I tested with GM Tim Smith of the World Chang Moo Kwan and the United States National Tae Kwon Do Federation.


It seems like more of the same from Matt.

Hmmmmmmm.... I wonder if GM Kwon is aware.... If he really wants to earn his stripes, he would go to the National BB testing in July, during the tournament and test infront of the KKW and other GMs.

Also, I wonder if GM Smith gave him a school cert or a USNTF cert... We know it wasnt a KKW. GM Kwon wont promote anyone from 0 to 3rd Dan. He still has integrity.

[IcemanSK]

Hmmmmmmm.... I wonder if GM Kwon is aware.... If he really wants to earn his stripes, he would go to the National BB testing in July, during the tournament and test infront of the KKW and other GMs.

Also, I wonder if GM Smith gave him a school cert or a USNTF cert... We know it wasnt a KKW. GM Kwon wont promote anyone from 0 to 3rd Dan. He still has integrity.

I'm trying to get ahold of GM Smith to see if a test actually occurred. I doubt GM Smith would test him for 2nd & 3rd within the same year. I'm thinkin'.

[The Last Legionary]

Why can't he just buy himself a sokeship like everyone else already, sheesh.

[Hudson69]

I do not know much about Judo or Mat Morton; who is he and what all has he said he is (capable of)?

[Hudson69]

I am now part of the combat kitty commandos...

[Daniel Sullivan]

I'm trying to get ahold of GM Smith to see if a test actually occurred. I doubt GM Smith would test him for 2nd & 3rd within the same year. I'm thinkin'.
I am sincerely hoping that an actual test took place and that this is legit, as odd as it would be to test for second and third within a one year period. I would like to see Matt be able to learn from his mistakes, rebuild his reputation, and make a fresh start.

Daniel

[zDom]

I would like to see Matt be able to learn from his mistakes, rebuild his reputation, and make a fresh start.

Daniel

And seek counseling.

[Carol]

I would like to see Matt be able to learn from his mistakes, rebuild his reputation, and make a fresh start.

Daniel

I bet that is something that would make Matt's father, Coach Tripp, Sensei Ohlenkamp, and many people very happy.

Matt has to fix Matt first before that can happen. It does not look like that is happening anytime soon, sadly.

[IcemanSK]

I don't know Matt's dad, but I can't imagine this kind of thing bringing a father pleasure.

Matt does indeed need to get some help. I sincerely hope that he does.

[terryl965]

Matt is a nice enough guy, but he needs to be in counseling and he needs to apologies to alot of people.