Nellie Ohr’s PhD is in Russian studies and language. She said under oath that she wanted the ham operator’s license in case of natural disasters. Of course, the Ohr’s live in McLean, VA. That’s about the last place in the world where one would feel a need for a ham radio for emergency communications.
Learning Russian is in it’s own way challenging, but it is not radio engineering. Something about her story does not pass the smell test. I bet a ringer took that test for her.
It’s a small charge, but someone has to be nailed on SOMETHING sooner or later.