In Defense of Scott Shields
My name is Joseph Hudak. I am a FDNY Paramedic Instructor, forty-four years of age. For the last eight years, I was an instructor at the FDNY Academy training FDNY Paramedics and Firefighters. If you were in FDNY, you went through one of my courses.
I continue to teach at the Academy. I am also part of the FDNY competition team that represents both FDNY and the United States in both domestic and international EMS competitions.
No amount of money in the world could explain the gratification of saving a human life. Our profession is unique and for me to be a member of FDNY's paramedics has been an incredible experience.
As a rescue worker, an officer and a health care professional in FDNY is a reward in itself. Anyone in this field of rescuing others does not do it for the money. We do this because of the personal satisfaction and knowledge that your life has made a difference for other people. That your time spent on this small blue marble spinning in space we call home may have changed things.
If anyone ever fit this description, it is my good friend Scott Shields. Over the last eight years I have watched his sacrifice and good deeds do much for both this city and my country. I have also watched as he agreed to testify in Congress about the cover-up's of hazardous materials by high ranking NY politicians with Presidential ambitions. I have been with Scott in two of our nation's worst moments and watched his training, knowledge and skills make a difference that few are ever privileged to give. He has played a key role in two of our nation's darkest moments. For this reason I have decided to help in clearing his name which many who know the truth are scared to do after what happened to him.
On Sept 11, 2001 we witnessed the horrific explosion as the first plane hit the Towers. A short while later I was to witness the second strike.
I was to stay there working on the Pile the next three days.
I first saw Scott and his dog Bear on September 11th 2001 on the site of the World Trade Center collapse.
His Golden Retriever made an alert on a body under a fifty foot mound of rubble that turned out to be the decapitated remains of one of our own, Chief of Department Peter Ganci. Along with Firefighters TJ Mundy, Jean Paul Augier (who went on to make one of the few live rescues of the day) and later Firefighter Tommy Burke (from Squad 252) who was with Scott when Bear found FDNY Commissioner William Feehan. Hundreds of FDNY personnel watched Scott and Bear work for days.
For days firefighters relied on Bear and Scott. That first day they were the only K-9 team any of us saw on the site. I was to watch them work the next three days. The FEMA dogs were not trained to do 'cadaver work' and Bear was invaluable. He led the way!
I was to see this man Scott and his golden retriever make many more finds those days. In November, I attended a memorial service held at the Beacon theatre on the Westside. The thousands of Firefighters who were in the audience recognized him and his dog Bear. They had meant a lot to us and people had actually argued over getting their services on the site. Bear was lifted onto the stage to thundering applause and cheering of hundreds who had witnessed what this dog had done.
It was to be the beginning of a bond of friendship that only war or disaster can bring to life. Little did I realize then, that four years later I would be once again going to another hell much better equipped and able to make a huge difference both because of, and with Scott Shields.
After that night, I began both a friendship and a professional relationship with Scott. As time passed, I began to realize how special this man really was. He was responsible for safety for many of the events in New York harbor and slowly we began to both provide services and training for his Marine Safety Service (later part of the search and rescue foundation).
Scott was always eager to assist others and to tell the truth about what had happened at the WTC so it would not happen again (Katrina was a direct result of not telling the truth about WTC)! His real love was the Dogs and the water and somehow he combined them both into his 'career' as a rescuer.
Scott decided after the WTC to help other rescuers. People do not realize the sacrifices made by these mostly volunteer teams. Scott began to be fed up with a system that even after the WTC did not seem to prioritize rescue. Funding seemed to be going everywhere else but Search and Rescue. Almost a year to the date of the WTC Bear, his search dog, best friend and partner lost a battle with more than a dozen types of cancer that started in a wound he had got at the WTC. I decided to make sure that this dog who led us would be honored for what he had done at the WTC assisting FDNY. There is a memorial to Bear at the FDNY/EMS Academy at Ft. Totten that I helped authorize and build.
I guess Scott felt guilty for bringing what he loved most into that deadly place. A big part of Scott died that day. I think he swore to himself that this would not be one more death that went on to mean nothing. Scott, never had children and he treated and referred to his dog Bear as his 'son'. It may sound a little crazy, but there are no FDNY firefighters who would begrudge that relationship. They were always there for us on the pile and they were that close. Scott decided to dedicate his life to helping, not just the victims of disaster, but also those who would rescue them. He redoubled his efforts after Bear's death. He was angry at the cover-ups we all saw at the WTC. He decided to turn this tragedy into an opportunity to change things.
For us, the term brother is one whom you know with certainty will sacrifice his life for yours; I am proud to call Scott "Brother". There is no higher calling then to be a rescuer. Being a rescuer is the highest calling. I have watched Scott over the last nine years and know him to be in his heart of hearts one of our nation's most dedicated 'rescuers'.
I have participated in numerous rescues in New York harbor with Scott (on one occasion making 7 Kayaker rescues during one event, then responding to the Staten Island Ferry disaster after already putting in a twelve hour day). I read a story on the internet of that day by one of Scott's detractors, it was as far from the truth as reality could get.
In 2005 two months after assisting Scott in teaching (I taught the medical component) one of the nation's largest mass casualty water rescue trainings (that year's course organized by Scott was entitled "Responding to the Five Hundred Year Flood"). Scott arranged instructors to teach from a dozen Federal, State and City agencies in New York. He got Zodiac Boats to sponsor the event and sixty days later, they gave Scott more than 20 boats and five personnel to help maintain them in NOLA. Scott got other companies to loan or give equipment for the response to Katrina because of the training he has conducted through the years.
Scott got Sid Baumgarten head of Battery Park CERT (NYNG General, former NYC DA, and former deputy Mayor of New York to deploy his team through the foundation, and they, and other teams Scott led coxswain the inflatable boats (the same boats used for the training in NY two months earlier) for the 82nd Airborne's response in NOLA. Scott has been told this never happened! On the internet you can read how it never happened. I was there, it did! There are picture and national networks video coverage.
One of the companies Walker Bay Boats donated a hundred dinghies that Scott eventually donated to the USCGA and other charities. I have participated as lead medical officer in his marine safety training courses, multiple world-class kayak, boat, outrigger canoe and swim races he led for NYC Parks SAR Team in the waters surrounding NYC. At these courses, I have learned shipboard repelling, mass casualty rescue, knot tying and other marine oriented rescue techniques at these classes. I loved the training. It was out of the box and different then what we get in the Dept. It was very 'real world oriented' and not available from any organization I know of. Most fire department water rescue training is oriented towards rescue in swift water of a few people in a vehicle, Scott's courses where about what to do when the "Big One' strikes. Scott really pioneered mass casualty water rescue (for a Katrina like event). He had talked about it happening in the New York area for years and had prepared plans for a response in the City. He was always a critic of FEMA long before it became fashionable.
Scott's led five volunteer teams (associated with the Foundation) and helped deploy a dozen others in response to hurricane Katrina. They were authorized by Gov. Blanco otherwise we never could have gotten through the roadblock for only authorized teams. The FBI has also verified the deployment letter was sent from the Governor's office (despite what you read on the internet).The teams he led down to Louisiana were assigned to the 82nd Airborne's 3rd Brigade in New Orleans Louisiana. They (the Airborne) made just over a thousand actual rescues and 4000 transports of victims. Many of these carried out with our boat teams. We rescued over 1000 animals which Scott helped arrange transport to Battery Park City in New York through Gen. Sidney Baumgarten (his BPC CERT team had taken Scott's training and deployed with Scott through the Bear Search and Rescue Foundation to NOLA). Gen. Baumgarten arranged for their adoption from people who lived in the neighborhood of the WTC. He is also a former Deputy Mayor of New York and lawyer who could give you more illumination on the 'truth'. The amazing thing is no one ever checked up on those who created these web sites and contact e-mails to see who they where!
I was honored to respond to Hurricane Katrina through Scott's team. Almost thirty tri state agencies (including New Jersey Task Force 1 and the Jersey City FD) had taken Scott's mass casualty water training course ( entitled: 'Responding to the Five Hundred Year Flood') only sixty days earlier and most of them responded much better prepared and equipped to the Gulf Coast because of this. To all of us it seemed prophetic.
Many teams from around the country that had received grants or training from the Foundation and Scott responded to Hurricane Katrina under orders from Gov. Blanco authorizing Scott to deploy teams. those who say otherwise have not checked, just quoted from the web or those out to change our history.
I would like to make a very strong point. I have seen with my own eyes what Scott has accomplished. He has written about our emergency management system and spoken about what would happen at a Katrina like event years before it happened. He has testified in Congress and around the country. I have seen Scott in action for almost a decade. He has made the life safety of the American people his life's priority. His 'cause' was to be accomplished at any price, even at the expense of his family. He is a caring, giving human being who has always gone beyond the call of duty (I have seen him work injured himself). He is a rescue worker who has gone well beyond the call of duty and what most would do to help others.
I lost a lot of close personal friends on 9/11 (Tom Foley, Charlie Mone, George Cain, Carlos Cites, my ex-partner Kevin Peifer and more). Bear is included on that wall of heroes. It was to honor their memory and efforts that we built a wall at the Fire Academy. On Sept. 11th 2003 Scott was asked to be a guest speaker at the memorial ceremony at Fort Totten. He gave a beautiful reading of a poem he had written for Bear and all who serve so that others may live. There was not a dry eye or an untouched heart. His loss, was our loss and we all shared in that emptiness and pride in our work.
Scott has always been there for me. He constantly asks my opinions on how to better organize our rescue services and responses to disaster. He is a bottom up idea organizer. I have seen over and over the hard work and dedication (all the time through pain of his injuries from 9/11). He would do anything to keep people alive and safe. There are too many things he has done to even list and yet remain with a brief statement on my friend Scott. He has contributed more than most.
None of us are perfect. We all have weaknesses, or doubts. We contend with our faults and go on. I can honestly say I have never in my life met someone who has done so much for others. Not just civilians or the injured, but for assisting the so often overlooked rescue workers. No one could ever bring all he has done into context. In the world of rescue I deal in, I hear nothing but praise for Scott. Scott has been honored by having days in his name from the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Even Dr Jane Goodall did a show on Animal Planet about Scott and Bear. The history Channel has honored them and Channel Thirteen in New York did a few pieces on them.
On September 17, 2005 The Secretary of Transportation Norman Manetta, honored him with a medal for organizing the harbor shuttle into the WTC's North Cove. He arranged for units to be transported by water with the USCG and arrive whole and rested inside the WTC area instead of having to march down the gridlocked West Side Highway with all their heavy gear. Sometimes, it seemed as if Scott was everywhere. He had an amazing talent for organizing a disaster. Like many volunteer firefighters, he does not take money for arranging help for others.
The work he has done has made a difference. We are a better country for having had use of his services. I cannot count how many are alive today, and brought home to their loved ones because of him. Many of us want our lives to have made a difference. Scott has, over and over again. I stand beside him and all that he has done good for others. I look up to him as a professional, caring individual who does the job because he loves to.
I am well known in the field of EMS and in the New York City Fire Dept.; those who know me, know my reputation as one of the lead Medics in the Dept. and of honesty, fairness as a top ranked professional who takes my job and my honor seriously. I love my job and my profession. I love this man Scott Shields for all I have seen him do for others. I have been at his side in the two worst domestic disasters in modern history. I have watched as he has accomplished great things, only in the name of doing good and placing the life safety of people first and above everything. I can think of few whom I would want to go to hell with again. Scott is one of those.
I am happy to help tell the true story of Scott and Bear. It is an amazing story that I and many other firefighters have seen firsthand and have been honored to participate in.
In November of 2008 a man by the name of Phil Porteus (who owns the websites against Scott) was convicted of computer fraud, bank fraud and various other crimes against Scott in Federal Court in Newark N.J. Mr Porteus had also been removed from the USCGA for creating fraudulent documents. He had was also at the center of a similar campaign against the former head of the 'Childrens Protective Service' in New York Chief Burt Borkin.
Mr Porteus also had the highest number of pending charges against him of any firefighter from the FDNY Fire Marshalls office. He was known to have tortured "probies" (probationary firefighters) and to have poured gasoline on other firefighters bunker gear as well as stealing personal rescue gear from those he did not like.
What many do not understand is that Scott could not afford to defend himself and those appointed to do so did not give a damn about the truth. They were to lazy to even pick up a phone and call anyone who had ever worked with Scott
There is more to Porteus's background then the authorities are willing to admit. There is much more to Capt. Shields being charged with taking money for an apartment then anyone will ever know. He was an outspoken critic of FEMA (where the charges originate) long before Katrina and often lectured how FEMA covering up what happened at the WTC would lead to a Katrina like event. Porteus claims his actions against Scott was caused by PTSD; I would guess some other more nefarious motive. I have seen the name on his second mortgage, funny it is the same as whom Scott was asked totestify against in Congress. Porteus has a long history that goes far beyond his accusations against Scott and an ethical and moral problem that has ruined many who have come in contact with him.
Interestingly, Scott is not charged with any of the puff stories from Mr Porteus was able to get into the newspapers after three years, about Scott not being here or there, or his dog finding nothing (I witnessed quite the opposite with my own two eyes and so have hundreds of others). Anyone who claims otherwise is an outright liar!
That the Web could be used for so much evil is an unspeakable horror. That reporters would quote from it with so much zeal without fact checking speaks ill of their profession. At the time the Post was quoting from Mr Porteus as a "reliable source" he had pled in Federal court to computer fraud, bank fraud and various charges. Scott could not afford a lawyer to defend his good name (they wanted $50,000 just to start). That someone who has done so much good could be reduced to phony stories copied from one reporter to another, all starting with Mr. Porteus's website and his cronies (who often pretended to be other people) says nothing good about this new electronic society. Mr Porteus is now a convicted felon serving a three year sentence!
FEMA often in the past placed 'rescue & recovery' workers under 'refugee status' to pay for their housing (see Google "CNN No room at the INN"). Mr. Shields is a victim of being one of the very few good guys who will speak and write the truth at any price to his own personal safety or honor. Funny, the three pages that stated why he was given the 'housing allowance' are missing from Mr. Shields FEMA file. His prosecutor admitted there were three pages missing, just not what was in them. How could she know if they were removed on purpose!
Those who speak ill of Scott are just quoting from a very inaccurate websites and people who were hired to do so, sponsored by forces other then what they appear to be. Do you actually know whom any of these people are? Have you verified that they even knew Mr Shields? Or are they just words and letters on the internet claiming things you assume to be true? Those who quote from, or believe them are fools.
Prior to ever having been accused of anything Scott was in a Federal Victims of Crime program to protect him from Phil Porteus and his cohorts for three years. After having the government indict him on information supplied by Mr Porteus, Scott just gave up fighting for the truth. He was in shock and could get no assistance to continue the fight. Who could blame him. The real question is, who and what was behind this internet fraud and how did the FEMA IG's office get involved in forging our nation's history. They have said that Scott's teams did not coxswain the boats for the 82nd Airborne Division at Katrina; I was there, I coxswain one of those boats, we had national news crews with us, there were a hundred troopers who worked with us, yet, one bad FEMA IG made a claims and accusations that were taken as gospel (he was not even there) and a phony case against Scott.
Anyone doing the slightest real investigation of the FEMA agent's charges against Scott would find outright lies and creative interpretation of facts. Porteus is only a tool in some greater mechanism. Time and serious investigation will tell the truth about what really happened to Scott Shields.
Please feel free to contact me as someone must put an end to this conspiracy to destroy the credibility of a very, very good man.
For more FDNY personnel discussing the real truth about Scott & Bear go to:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Bearsdad2
Very truly yours,
Joseph Hudak FDNY
Paramedic Instructor
PLEASE SEE:
11/04/08 Greenwich Residents Scott And Patricia Shields Are Now Waiting To Report To Prison
New York Post
A self-proclaimed "9/11 hero" who concocted tales of rescuing victims with his golden retriever is being sued by the feds for more than $35,000 in relief funds he scammed from FEMA.
A lawsuit filed yesterday by the US Attorney's Office in Manhattan accuses Scott Shields and his sister, Patricia, of falsely claiming to need the money for rent on a Rector Street apartment while living in Greenwich, Conn.
The feds are asking for three times the stolen amount plus $11,000 for each of three bogus filings. Both siblings pleaded guilty to fraud, were sentenced to eight months behind bars, and are now waiting to report to prison.
Scott Shields, 57, won accolades after claiming he and his now-deceased dog, Bear, made "the only live finds" at Ground Zero. He repeated the lie in a self-published 2003 book titled "Bear, Heart of a Hero."
The Post exposed his lies in a 2006 exclusive that also revealed he filed for bankruptcy protection four months before 9/11
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Please send your comments, news tips and press releases to GreenwichRoundup@gmail.com
17 comments:
Nice try Scott Shields. Joe Hudak does not own a computer and will deny any posts made in his name. This information you presented is not true and libelous. Your lack of knowledge of the FDNY gives you away. Nobody has ever refuted that that you were at the WTC on 9/11, however what you did there and at Katrina are borderline criminal. Lie in the bed you made for yourself.
Please remove this post, it's untrue and libelous.
Sadly, Mr. Hudak is either naive or totally blindsighted by his curious friendship with Mr. Shields. Or, this article was NOT really written by Mr. Hudak at all, which is entirely possible given Mr. Shields' dubious record. (People close to Mr. Hudak doubt that he authored this, as he does not use a computer!)For three years I acted as Bear and Scott's "biographer." I co-wrote and co-published, with Mr. Shields, his autobiography "Bear: Heart of a Hero." Obviously, I was naive too. While it is true that Scott and Bear responded to 9/11, and Bear has been credited, by two firefighters, as having discovered the remains of the FDNY Chief, this is where the "legend" comes to an abrupt halt. After the book was published, I became aware that Mr. Shields was misrepresenting himself and his dog's accomplishments. Exaggerations and fabrications rolled off his tongue so easily that it was frightening. Mr. Shields cleverly and cunningly turned what might be considered a simple "human interest" story of two days at Ground Zero into a first class con. In my opinion, these misrepresentations that included telling people that his dog had made "live" finds, that he spent up to six months at the site when he was kicked out on the third day, and that Bear had made the most finds of any dog led Mr. Shields to receive most of the awards "Mr. Hudak" cites. Afterall, who would dare lie about a tragedy that killed 3,000 people, one might think? Evidentally, Mr. Shields did, and nobody checked the facts. Mr. Shields would actually hold the book up in the air when he misrepresented the facts so that people thought his conjurings were in the book. This was devastating and shocking to see him use the book to develop his con. I had "Bear: Heart of a Hero" removed from publication in 2006. Of course, what we all now know, several years later, is that Mr. Shields was bankrupt and essentially homeless prior to 9/11, and that he lied on federal documents to steal money from FEMA and the Red Cross. At his sentencing at Federal Court last year, several of us also learned from Justice Sweet that Mr. Shields had a prior Federal conviction for stealing from a bank in a check kiting scheme in the 90's, something this supposed "Mr. Hudak" conveniently leaves out of his curious loyalty speech.
Just think, If you, dear reader, paid your federal taxes in 2000, and if you gave money to the Red Cross at the time of 9/11 you too may have actually helped pay for Mr. Shields and his sister to live in a luxury two bedroom apartment overlooking NY Harbor. Doesn't that make you feel good? Mr. Hudak should e-examine his motives for this ill-placed and strange loyalty. The world is filled with grandiose con-artists and opportunists, and while I can understand Mr. Hudak's being fooled when he first ran into Scott at 9/11, I do not know why he continues to operate under a suspended disbelief now that so many of the lies and cons are out of the bag. Perhaps Judge Sweet was correct at Mr. Shields' sentencing when he said that he did not believe that Scott Shields felt one bit of remorse for his fraudulent actions; he only felt bad that he would have to spend eight months in federal prison. Mr. Shields and his sister, who is currently serving her time in federal prison, have been sentenced to pay back all the monies they stole plus additional fees levied against them in a civil suit brought by the federal goverment."Bear: Heart of a Hero" was withdrawn from publication 2006. Also in 2006, Dr. Goodall, whom Mr. Shields loves to quote, revoked all previous testimonials she had given him.
I HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THIS WAS NOT WRITTEN BY JOE HUDAK. WHOEVER WROTE IT HAS IMPERSONATED MR. HUDAK. THE IP ADDRESS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THE ENTIRE POST SHOULD BE REMOVED.
I HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THIS WAS NOT WRITTEN BY JOE HUDAK. WHOEVER WROTE THIS HAS IMPERSONATED AN FDNY EMPLOYEE. THE IP ADRESS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND THE POST REMOVED IMMEDIATELY.
I was engaged to Jow Hudak and i can tell you He DID NOT WRITE THIS BLOG! You won't give up will you Scott Shields, You will always be the fraud that i pegged you to be way back then. Joew does not have a computer or the time to put into this 12 paged bathroom reading. Scott you don'r even know Joe's personal info, got it all wrong. Anyone reading this crap can see you wrote out your enrire made up history, Gee, do you think Joe was really that interested in your :LIFE ??? I suggest strongly that this Blog be taken DOWN !! ASAP. Thsi man is a FRAUD.
Patricia Williams
Since the tragedy of September 11, 2001 the Asbury Park Press has printed several articles about the self-proclaimed hero Mr. Scott Shields. These articles have focused on Mr. Shields' alleged rescue efforts at the World Trade Center site, and have included erroneous claims made by Shields such as his dog (Bear) making live finds on "the pile." One article featured Mr. Shields visiting a local school where he misrepresented himself to teachers, children, and parents. (He even accepted money from the children, ostensibly to help search and rescue teams.)
Mr. Shields, who likes to call himself "Captain" Shields is, plain and simple, a fraud. In fact, he is a twice convicted fraud who recently served eight months in a federal penitentiary for stealing $50,000 in FEMA and Red Cross funds after 9/11. (He was also convicted in a check kiting scheme in the 1990's.) Neither he nor his former dog Bear, (nor his current dog Theodore), are professionally trained in search and rescue work. Moreover, Shields is not a "Captain" of anything. Most of Mr. Shields claims have now been debunked. There are no records of him making live finds at the WTC site or making the most finds, as he has frequently stated. In fact, Shields was ordered to leave the pile on two separate occasions by the police, and was finally kicked out on the third day--not after the six months that he so often claims to have searched the pile.
None of this, however, deterred Mr. Shields from donning a search and rescue uniform for himself and an orange vest for his dog, and embarking on a self-aggrandizing fund raising career. Shields even founded a charity called the Bear Search and Rescue Foundation, (complete with website that solicits donations), that is registered in New York State and, as of this writing, has not kept up-to-date with NYS regulations on reporting for 501 (C)3 organization, much less New Jersey law. Shields, a consumate opportunist who also likes to market himself a hero of Hurricane Katrina, has made a career of misrepresenting himself to both the media and people in influential positions, and then accepting awards and accolades for his self-proclaimed heroism. For example, Shields misrepresented himself to world famous primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, and then had himself included in her 2004 Animal Planet documentary--complete with his lies.
After being run out of Greenwich, CT, and Manhattan, NY, with a string or over ten evictions and 3 bankruptcies, Mr. Shields moved to West Windsor NJ in 2005. He continued his fund raising career by visiting area schools and was frequently seen at boat shows and flea markets peddling his stories. All the while with his hand out and his fire fighter's boot ready to collect your cash. Mr. Shields only briefly volunteered as a firefighter in Princeton Junction, NJ. He was was suspended from the department when his legal troubles became public. (He was not raising money for Princeton Junction Fire Dept or any fire department with his boot.)
In 2007 the United States government caught up with Mr. Shields and indicted him on five counts. The indictment stemmed from the fact that in 2002 Shields and his sister applied for FEMA mortgage and rental assistance with a false social security number. Shields falsely claimed that he was affected by the WTC disaster. Shields and his sister had actually lived in Greenwich CT on 9/11 and did not move to Manhattan until April 2002. He claimed that his income was $60,000 per month pre-disaster, and because of the WTC events he now made $0.00 a month. He was awarded 50K in taxpayer money, and another 50K from other charities including the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. The brother and sister con team used forged documents and lies to secure their awards. Scott and Patty Shields used the money to pay personal expenses, not the rent it was intended to be used for. The Shields' were later evicted from their apartment by court order for failure to pay their rent. Scott and Patty Shields were arrested for fraud and other charges in 2007. He and his sister plead guilty to all counts, and each was sentenced to 8 months in Federal Prison (plus three years supervised release, restitution, and mental health counseling.) They were also ordered by the court to pay back all the stolen money with damages.
On July 10, 2009 Mr. Shields was released from federal prison. He, along with his sister Patty, and accompanied by his golden retriever, will undoubtedly be continuing scamming activities ie. "fundraising" in the New Jersey area. It is imperative that the public contact the police and U.S. Probation Department if they are approached by Shields soliciting for dollars. He is committing fraud and probably tax evasion with your money. Landlords should be especially wary as he has a perfect record of evictions for his last 12 tenancies. Every one of them leaving unsuspecting landlords with thousands in unpaid rent and damaged property. It's time for the public to know the truth about this man.
Just so people know, I (Joey Hudak) did NOT write this. Scott Shields did. He has been a thorn in my side signing my name to everything he can. The guy is a fraud. Plain and simple. He has being convicted SEVERAL times. Recently he served 8 months in prison. I was mislead like many others. Please NEVER give him money or believe his lies.
JH
I think This Newspaper should contact Joe Hudak Of FDNY and Speak to him personally to see if this writting is his own. To take on the identity of a public servant is a serious crime. A fact finding interview would be helpful in this resolve.
The facts which cannot be refuted:
Scott Shields declared bankruptcy 3 times before 9/11/2001
Scott and Patty both have numerous judgments (too many to list)in their name for goods and services they decided not to pay for.
Scott and Patty have a string of over 13 evictions, all for non payment of rent. The latest was Princeton NJ, where they skipped out on 6 months of rent.
Scott lived in Greenwich Ct. Or at least roamed the streets up there at the time of 9/11. Scott borrowed money from friends, like myself that was never paid back.
Scott was in fact at the 9/11 disaster. Actually no one disputes that. However, he did very little, as did his dog. He was instructed by NYPD K9 to leave and that his beloved dog was not suitable for search and rescue work. Scott was removed from "the pile" with all other volunteers on 9/13/2001.
Scott has made claims about his exploits that are too nebulous to be taken seriously.
Scott started a charity, Bear Search and Rescue Foundation. Which has in fact given money to some people. Most of the grants were self serving. He even attempted to buy his way onto some legitimate search and rescue teams. However it mostly serves to give Scott some credibility and to line his pockets.
Scott did appear at Katrina. However eyewitnesses say he did very little, and was actually an embarrassment. People that he drove down with quickly refused to work with him.
Scott is a twice convicted felon, once for check kiting in the 90's and lately for the FEMA fraud, where we served 8 months in prison. He is currently on Federal Supervised release and should not be impersonating FDNY employees. Violating city and state laws is a violation that can land him back in Federal Prison.
Scott is a fraud and a habitual liar. Any friendship with him will end badly. He is a taker not a giver. A constant user and abuser.
To Scott: Yes, doing these things makes you a bad person, and a fraud. You need mental health counseling. Please retire and move out of the area.
I just got off the phone with Joey Hudak and he said he did write this to Judge Sweet. Funny, people continue to use the internet to tell 'truths' that they make up.
One anonymous entry claimed to be Joey Hudak saying he did not write the letter. It was patently false and again shows the power of an internet frought with problems of identity, slander and libelous material.
Now I am wondering how much of the 'claims' against Mr Shields are untrue and who is realy making them. Can all these anonymous postings be one person?
Turns out this Patricia Williams was a rejected ex-lover of Mr Hudak who it took three years to evicted from a property he owned in Freeport. According to court records in Nassau County, she had to be removed from his property by Sheriffs. Not a good reference.
This discussion has become ugly and discusting. You should all be ashamed of your conduct.
Gee, this gets stranger and stranger. The owner of the websites against Scott shields (Phil Porteus) is a convicted federal felon (computer fraud, bank fraud and assorted other crimes) was thrown out of the United States Coast Guard Auxillary for FRAUD. Was involved in a similar computer operation to discredit the former head of Childrens Protective Service in NYC Chief Burt Borkin. Mr Porteus's webmaster was a convicted felon who served 7 years in prison in Vermont for computer fraud and was arrested by theUSCG for breaking into a storehouse at Coast Guard Base Sandy Hook two years ago when it was learned he was usoing a false name while working with Mr Porteus.
The owner of the other website against Mr Shields is an unemployed former school psychologist who has been on disability for mold exposure for 15 years. Hmmn, isn't what she accused Mr Shields of? According to Mr shields she somehow found $38,000 thousand dollars to give Mrs Wests (Mr Shields former publisher) husband to make a movie about 'Dancing Dogs' (Never released). He is in the tire business according to a discussion with Mr Shields.....
Hmmn, maybe there is a need to go over the story we are being given here. Maybe someone should look into Mr Shields claims he was asked to testify against someone very powerful!
All is not as it seems to be in Wonderland Alice!
A firefighter who knows the truth
Once again, Scott you always manage to give yourself away. You always get the facts wrong and try to deflect attention. Why are you even posting here? Isn't there a huge search and rescue operation going on in Haiti? Surely they called you and Theodore, and you then activated your 27 teams. Where's your letter from the President of Haiti? Will you be posting that on your website soon?
I know you from your Greenwich days, you were a looser then, and even worse now. You should really seek some mental health counseling, if you are not already.
Nobody cares about your testimony. Seriously, you don't know anything. How could your testimony even be relevant? Anyone that reads a newspaper and can use Google knows as much as you do. Oh wait, I forgot 3 days on the pile with a phoney search and rescue dog makes you an expert.
Come on get a life, your act is getting old. Nobody cares about you anymore. Take your other former friend's advice and leave the area. We thought we were done with you when you moved to NJ, unfortunately it's not far enough away.
Ms. West is correct. Mr. Hudak did NOT post this letter. Parts of the letter were written by Joe Hudak and submitted to Judge Sweet at the time of Scott and Patty Shields sentencing. Scott Shields and Patricia Shields were each sentenced to eight months in Federal Prison for stealing 9/11 victims money and Red Cross money. Obviously Mr. Hudak's letter was NOT effective. The letter has been added to, presumably by Scott Shields, Patricia Shields, or one of their cronies. (Patricia Shields has been known to use the alias "Shapiro," so postings under this surname should be suspect. It is sad that this person posting as "FDNY EMT Joseph Hudak" cares so little for the real Joe Hudak. It is pretty disgusting that they are willing to use Hudak in this manner. I know Hudak personally and he would never write ill of anyone. It is not in his character. Whoever is impersonating Joe should be ashamed of themselves! What a coward you are hiding behind this man's good reputation to protect a twice convicted felon like Shields. Scott Shields also convicted of stealing close to $150,000 from a bank. Both Shields have numerous evictions and bankrupcies to their name. In fact, they are notorious in the Greenwich area for being dead beats on bill paying. The Shields currently owe the US governments tens of thousands of dollars. Scott Shields told US Rep. Carolyn Maloney that he led the canine rescue teams at the WTC. Because of this she allowed him to accompany her to a meeting in DC to testify regarding air quality. She now knows, as most others do, that he misrepresented himself to her. Shields was at 9/11 but did not lead the canine search teams. Shields also misrepresented himself to Rep. Shays and NY Sec. of State Rany Daniels, among others. Shields thinks that by claiming he was a victim that he can garnish more attention for himself and obscure the facts that he stole money meant for victims. He hung around Ground Zero looking for press attention and getting free food and shelter after 9/11. He was homeless so probably had no other choice. He admitts to being kicked off the pile on the second or third day for having no training credentials in canine SAR.
He is really only famous for his fraud case being the historically last one prosecuted by the FEDS. Shields also went to Katrina. Most of the time he hung around smoozing, getting his picture taken, and trying to net work for his foundation. It is the opinion of this writer and many others that his favorite thing about disasters where others are suffering is that he has an opprtunity to get publicity--afterall, that is what an "opportunist" is all about. Oh, and the bit someone wrote about the government "agent" who protected him...ha ha ha if you believe that one you might want to buy a bridge in Brooklyn! I'd say the agent double-crossed him and that is how he landed in prison ha ha ha!
This is the most bizarre conversation between two or three people, or one person pretending to be many.
I did check with Mr Hudak on wether he wrote this letter, he did!
Whoever these critics of Shields are they should get a life. Every firefighter knows what is really going on here. The cover-ups continue from 9/11.
We all saw Scott and his dog working and finding people for days down there.
You may be able to fool the public with this nonsense, but every firefighter knows the truth. Just go to thevideo tapes on You Tube to see the truth. These people can lie with words but real FF tell the truth about Scott.
Shame on you people.
A Real Firefighter!
OK, so someone had to find out if this Porteus character was real. Seems hewas very real and involved in all sorts of activities to cover-up different thing in NY. Not just with Mr Shields.
This is from Newark Federal Court document. It sure seems these people did not tell the truth about him on the internet.Guess you can say anything on theinternet and then reporters quote from it
I remember reading how Mr Porteus was a "credible source" against Mr Shieldslong after he was already arrested for FRAUD by the FBI...See below U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney's Office
District of New Jersey
Peter Rodino Federal Bldg.
970 Broad St.
Suite 700
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 645-2700
Fax: (973) 297-2069
November 03, 2008
Scott Shields
26 Ketley Place
Princeton, NJ 08540
RE: United States v. Defendant(s) PHIL PORTEUS
Case Number 2006R00764 and Court Docket Number 08-795
Dear Scott Shields:
The United States Department of Justice believes it is important to keep victims of federal crime informed of court proceedings. This notice provides information about the above-referenced criminal case.
Charges have been filed against defendant(s) PHIL PORTEUS. The lead prosecutor for this case is Erez Liebermann. The main charge is categorized as Computer Crime and Fraud.
On October 28, 2008, defendant PHIL PORTEUS pled guilty to the charges listed below. Any remaining counts will be disposed of at the time of sentencing. As a result of the guilty plea, there will be no trial involving this defendant.
Number of Charges Description of Charges Disposition
----------------- ---------------------- -----------
1 Fraud and related activity - computers Guilty
The sentencing hearing for defendant(s), PHIL PORTEUS, has been set for February 3, 2009, 10:00 AM before Judge PETER G. SHERIDAN. You are welcome to attend this proceeding; however, unless you have received a subpoena, your attendance is not required by the Court. If you plan on attending, please check with the VNS Call Center to verify the sentencing date and time. Should you wish to speak at the sentencing or want to check for the most current information on the date/time of this event please call our office a day or two before the scheduled hearing.A United States Probation Officer prepares a report for the Court and may contact you to discuss the impact the crime had on you financially, physically, and/or emotionally. If you are contacted, please make every effort to provide accurate and detailed information.
The Victim Notification System (VNS) is designed to provide you with information regarding the case as it proceeds through the criminal justice system. If you have other questions which involve this matter, please contact this office at the number listed above.
Sincerely,
Rosa Salloum
Victim Witness Specialist
-U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney's Office
District of New Jersey
Peter Rodino Federal Bldg.
970 Broad St.
Suite 700
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 645-2700
Fax: (973) 297-2069
November 03, 2008
Scott Shields
26 Ketley Place
Princeton, NJ 08540
RE: United States v. Defendant(s) PHIL PORTEUS
Case Number 2006R00764 and Court Docket Number 08-795
A real firefighter
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