Claremont professor charged with filing false hate-crime report

The Bakersfield Californian ^ | April 27, 2004 | The Associated Press

[Ben Chad]

POMONA, Calif. (AP) - A Claremont McKenna College psychology professor who claimed someone vandalized her car with racist and anti-Semitic slurs was charged with filing a false police report and insurance fraud. Kerri Dunn's claim of being the victim of a hate crime shocked Claremont and associated colleges 30 miles east of Los Angeles, leading to rallies against intolerance last month.

Police and the FBI began investigating, but within days police reported there were witness accounts of Dunn vandalizing the car herself.

Dunn, 39, was charged Monday and will be arraigned May 19 on one count of filing a false police report, a misdemeanor, and two felony counts of insurance fraud. If convicted on all counts, she faces a sentence ranging from probation to six years in prison.

Dunn's attorney, Gary Lincenberg, said his client "maintains her innocence and hopes that this case will not divert attention from the racism problems" at the Claremont colleges.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley said in a statement, "False accusations that imply hate crimes prey on the legitimate concerns of the public who truly abhor violence based on race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. And those who make false claims should realize there is a penalty for doing so."

Dunn, a visiting professor, remains on leave from Claremont McKenna College, university President Pamela Gann said in a statement Monday. Dunn's contract ends June 30, Gann said, adding that university officials "continue to believe that the best resolution of these events will be determined through a prosecution of the individual or individuals responsible for the vandalism."

University officials declined to further discuss Dunn's employment.

Dunn claimed that she discovered the vandalism of her car on the night of March 9 while she was on campus preparing a lecture for a forum on racism.

The next day, she called her insurance company about the vandalism and theft of items from the car, prosecutors allege.

Also that day, faculty canceled classes and thousands of students staged sit-ins to protest what was believed to be the latest in a series of racial incidents at the Claremont colleges. Dunn told students at a nighttime rally she was heartened by their support.

Claremont McKenna College is part of a consortium of seven independent institutions. The others are Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College, Pomona College, Scripps College, Claremont Graduate University and the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences.

[Ben Chad]

If found guilty, they should also send her the bill for having shut down the Claremont college system for a day of hand-wringing and hyperventilation.

[Caipirabob]

Well, wouldn't filing a false "hate crime" BE a hate crime?

I mean, it's not like you aren't trying to frame a specific ethnic group other than your own, or it wouldn't be a "hate crime" to begin with.

[litany_of_lies]

Long overdue. Latest in a long string of campus non-hate-crimes perpetrated by truly twisted people.

The insurance company needs to go after her for fraud too.

[Uncle Miltie]

Ages ago, among the most conservative crowd on campus, there wasn't a racist or anti-semite in the group. Heck, I married a Jewish CMC-er who is probably more conservative than me: "Three strikes and you're dead," says my wife.

Now among the more liberal Asians from Hawaii on campus, there were actual racists. The Japanese hated the Philipinos, the Chinese hated the Koreans, and they all hated the haoles. But we right-wing haoles were pretty oblivious to race.

[tjg]

She shut down a marxist indoctrination center for a day.

Maybe she'll send us a bill.

[cardinal4]

Well, wouldn't filing a false "hate crime" BE a hate crime?

You racist!

[Onelifetogive]

Now among the more liberal Asians from Hawaii on campus, there were actual racists. The Japanese hated the Philipinos, the Chinese hated the Koreans, and they all hated the haoles. But we right-wing haoles were pretty oblivious to race.

It is my theory that Western Civilization is one of the first societies where racism is not an "accepted societal norm."

The ever so peaceful Native American's considered themselves "human beings" while whites (and others) weren't. Hawaiians and haoles. There must be hundred's of other examples...

I would love to see a well-researched and documented study on this topic.

[PJ-Comix]

A Claremont McKenna College psychology professor who claimed someone vandalized her car with racist and anti-Semitic slurs was charged with filing a false police report and insurance fraud.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! What an IDIOT!!! This professor is white and, judging from her name, Irish. She is too STUPID to even put believable slurs on her car. BTW, I think quite a few other so-called hate crimes on campuses are also staged.

[Vigilanteman]

Excellent point. Prosecute her for a "hate crime" against the CMC group. Also add insurance fraud:

The next day, she called her insurance company about the vandalism and theft of items from the car, prosecutors allege.

[cardinal4]

I just find it odd that the act of racism was National News and now thats it turns out it was fraud on the part of the liberal professor, the story is just local.

[PMCarey]

Indeed prosecute her for a hate crime. People who defend hate crime legislation claim that the law is not trying to punish people's thoughts, instead it is punishing an action that intimidates a group of people. Well, since this action had that effect, the culprit's motives should not enter into it.

Otherwise, the law would only punish those hates crimes that are done for hate; in which case the law is prosecuting for thought and not deed. It would be like having a law against murder but only when the culprit is murdering for hate and not for money or any other motive.

[ValerieUSA]

I vote for the 6 year sentence.

[ValerieUSA]

One of the words she spray-painted on her car was "kike" --- who has heard a young person use that word? How lame! It was so obviously done by someone older who had spent some studying these racial and ethnic slurs.... like the visiting psychology professor, maybe??????

[miloklancy]

Kerri Dunn has had a prior criminal history and less than honest behavior. She was a Grad student here in Lincoln, NE at the University and was caught shop lifting at least a few times. It's clear that when you combine a warped liberal academic with a habitual criminal it turns out to be a very bad combination.

[tang-soo]

Just so you can put a face to the story ... click here.

[Bonaparte]

"The insurance company needs to go after her for fraud too."

They are. There are 2 counts of insurance fraud pending.

I expect conviction to be easy.

But I also expect slap-on-the-wrist sentencing and a bar committee that refuses to pull her license in spite of her felony convictions.

NB. She is not a first-time offender. She has a criminal record from her years in the midwest -- Missouri, I believe.

[Bonaparte]

That's right. It was Nebraska, not Missouri. Thanks, m! I read her rap sheet but it's been awhile. I think she also had a warrant on her for failure to appear.

[Bonaparte]

Here it is...

Dunn was arrested by the Lincoln Police Department on September 29, 2000 on suspicion of shoplifting, possessing stolen property, refusing to comply with a police officer's orders among other charges, records show. All of the charges, which are misdemeanors, were dropped except for the shoplifting charge. She was found guilty and fined $200, according to criminal records.

In September 1999, Dunn was cited on suspicion of driving on a suspended license and failing to appear for a court hearing. She was found guilty of the first charge and paid a $50 fine, records show.

[hillaryisalesbo]

Why the hell is she still listed on the school's website as a visiting professor? Regardless, I hope she'll be visiting a correctional facility soon. I am so disappointed in my alma mater for hiring her in the first place. Pam Gann should be President of Berkeley not CMC.

[Biblebelter]

Too many hate crime laws chasing too few hate criminals. The real hate criminals are terrorists who are too blood thirsty to be messing around with childish vandalism. Of course, it can also be said we too many full time lawmakers with way too much time on their hands.