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Dr. Drew
Fake Teen Doctor Arrested Again; High School Teacher Resigns After Students Send Her Photos into Cyberspace; Ukrainian Man Posed as Pennsylvania High School Student. Aired 9-10p ET
Aired March 02, 2016 - 21:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTPE)
[21:00:13] DR. DREW PINSKY, HLN HOST OF "DR. DREW" PROGRAM: Tonight, the fake teen doctor arrested again. This time police say he stole checks from
an older woman and cashed them with a fake I.D. Plus, more on the impostor student. A woman claiming to be his mother tells us why her 23-year-old
son scammed a Pennsylvania High School. Let us get started.
Breaking news -- breaking news in the case of the phony teen doctor. He was arrested yet again last night. And, now a judge has ordered him to
undergo a much needed mental health evaluation. Guess what? Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MALACHI LOVE-ROBINSON, FAKE TEEN DOCTOR: This is not the first time, where I have been accused, and I will pursue this. And, when I do, you guys will
know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PINSKY: In 2015, he was caught inside a patient`s room during a pregnant woman`s exam in a hospital in Florida. The staff said he had been
wandering the halls there for a month, wearing an embroidered lab coat and a stethoscope.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LOVE-ROBINSON: I requested to shadow some physicians. The next thing, I know, cops are there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PINSKY: Also, in 2015, he is working as a massage therapist at a rehab facility. He is accused of, quote, "Leading the public to believe he was a
licensed medical doctor."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LOVE-ROBINSON: I did not operate. I did not reach into someone`s uterus, you know. I did not snatch out a baby.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PINSKY: Malachi Love-Robinson says he never claimed he was a medical doctor. Joining us Rolonda Watts, Author of the romance novel, "Destiny
Lingers," out March 15. Sara Azari, Attorney; Erin Foster, Psychotherapist and Mike Slater, radio talk show host, KFMB in San Diego. Rolonda, you got
some of the latest on thi arrest?
ROLONDA WATTS, AUTHOR OF "DESTINY LINGERS" ROMANCE NOVEL: Yes. I got to tell you, Dr. Drew. This whole story makes me so angry.
PINSKY: Angry or cracks you up?
(LAUGHING)
WATTS: Well, you know what? It really makes me angry, because you could have been taken advantage by this kid.
PINSKY: Yes.
WATTS: Listen. He got busted last night for cashing checks that he stole during a house call with an 86-year-old woman, an 86-year-old woman. He
cashed these checks to pay for his car loan and credit cards. We are talking about a tune of more than $35,000, combined here.
Last month, he was arrested as we know for practicing medicine without a license for months. During one time, he even took a peek into a
gynecological test. I mean this -- I would -- I would hit the roof if I found out that a fake person was looking at my gynecological test.
PINSKY: I am with you. I am with you. And, $35,000 theft, Sara, is not peanuts, right?
SARA AZARI, ATTORNEY: It is not peanuts.
PINSKY: I am waiting for you to defend this guy?
AZARI: It is grand theft. It is larceny. But, you know what? These are mere allegations. Where is the evidence that he actually took those
checks, that he actually negotiated those checks, that he cashed those checks. Remember, this was an 18-year-old kid, who is savvy enough to run
a clinic and staff it with other people.
PINSKY: Listen. I understand he is a diabolical genius. I get that, but this guy, could be like a superman criminal. You know what I mean? Like,
I imagine him somewhere --
(LAUGHING)
(CROSSTALKS)
AZARI: I think this needs supports what I have been saying all along, which is the case against him for practicing medicine without a license is
rather weak. And, I think what the prosecution is doing here is throwing everything in the kitchen sink and hoping that some charges will stick.
That is my opinion.
WATTS: Well, I hope some charges stick too.
(LAUGHING)
ERIN FOSTER, PSYCHOTHERAPIST: Sara, we have to look at the pattern of behavior here. You are stating they are allegations, but look at the
pattern of behavior. This is a person with inflated sense of grandiosity. That is very indicative of a manic behavior, which could indicate a mental
disorder. This is important. We have to look at this.
PINSKY: Well, Erin, in fact, the judge has ordered the teen, in fact, to get a mental health evaluation immediately.
FOSTER: Yes.
PINSKY: Now, if he is bipolar, some of the stuff could calm down. But, I am going to say, there is more than bipolar going on here. I am not sure
prescription medication is going to do the trick here.
But, he has been ordered to take prescribed medication and be tested randomly to be sure, A. He is taking his meds and B. No drugs or alcohol.
Not allowed to be around weapons and he is not allowed to practice any sort of medicine. Mike is that enough? I mean I think the guy will try to slip
under that --
MIKE SLATER, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST, KFMB: Yes.
PINSKY: -- And say, "This was not any sort of medicine, this was naturopathy."
(LAUGHING)
SLATER: Well, first of all, this validates my theory that if you act like you know what you are doing, you can get away pretty much anything. I
think this kid is in it for a long time.
WATTS: New reality show.
SLATER: Right. When I first heard the story -- The first time you did this, I read the headline and I was like, "Oh, what a cute kid. Like
trying to pretend he is Doogie Howser, walking in hallways of the hospital. See what he can get away with Ha, ha, ha." A Second time? Here is my
question for you, Dr. Drew.
PINSKY: Yes.
SLATER: What would you ask him to determine whether or not he is just a holistic doctor or he is a psychopath? What is the question you would ask?
PINSKY: There is a lot of things. Does he experience anxiety? Does he have remorse for anything he has done? Does he understand the impact he is
having? Can he tell what is right and what is wrong? And, if you cannot get a straight answer out of this guy for anything, then you know you are
dealing with somebody who has got some very, very serious nerve issues.
[21:05:10] Now, Terri Parker has met with this kid. She is an investigative reporter with WPBF 25 News in West Palm Beach, Florida. You
had been covering this story. I am going to have a little tape, Then Terri will join us. Take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TERRI PARKER, WPBF25 NEWS REPORTER (voice-over): Only our cameras were there when detectives arrested 18-year-old Malachi Love-Robinson for
practicing medicine without a license allegedly giving a physical exam to a female undercover officer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PARKER: They say you examined a patient today?
LOVE-ROBINSON: You will hear from my lawyer.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PINSKY: Terri, thank you so much for joining us. You are the only one amongst us that has met this young man.
PARKER: Thanks for having me.
PINSKY: You gotcha. Now, we got $35,000 in bad checks. Any of this surprise you?
PARKER: At first, it did surprise me when I heard about the fraud, but actually these charges are mounting up. This is not the first time that he
has been charged with taking money just from this one woman. There is another investigation I discovered ongoing in another city, where he is
named as a suspect in taking money. So, something is going on.
Also, I found out there is a long list of say car dealers. There is a civil suit against him for passing a bad check to a car dealer, lots of car
dealers have gotten in touch with me and said, "He would show up wearing his lab coat, his stethoscope. Telling us he was a doctor and trying to
get some sort of deal on a car." So, it seems like his history is a little bit shady when it comes to anything to do with money.
PINSKY: And, Terri, are you going to be accumulating that evidence? I am asking because I am going to be speaking to his attorney in the next
segment?
PARKER: I am sorry, you say, am I going to be accumulating it?
PINSKY: Are you going to be showing some of the evidence against this guy in your reporting? Is there more to be said here?
PARKER: Yes.
PINSKY: And, also --
PARKER: Actually, we already have, just --
PINSKY: Go ahead.
PARKER: Go ahead.
PINSKY: No, you please finish. We have a little delay here. Go ahead.
PARKER: OK. All right. Just last night, yes, we had a new police report from another city, Boynton Beach that named Malachi Love-Robinson as a
suspect in an ongoing $40,000 theft in that city as well. And, we have police reports here, obviously, he was just arrested again.
And, obviously, we are not going to report anything without evidence. We would not do that. Bu,t I do have a lot of people contacting me and
saying, "You know this guy has fooled us all."
PINSKY: And, my understanding is his family members have also attempted or actually contacted you to express concerns about what is going on with this
kid`s psychiatrically as far back as February?
PARKER: Yes, they really have. You know the family -- it is a large family. They have been split. A lot of them seemed to think like, you
know, he is such a bright kid. Let us give him a chance. Let him do what he needs to do to feel respected and to make a name for himself, somehow,
in the medical profession.
But, some of his other relatives have really been worried. They have seen him. They have seen him, pose as a doctor at St. Mary`s Medical Center.
They have seen him go around and his whole life wearing this outfit. You know telling people he is a doctor. So, they are afraid that he was going
to start treating people and possibly hurt someone.
PINSKY: And, Terri, you actually posed as a patient, is that right? And, tell me what that experience was like?
PARKER: No, I did not. There was an undercover detective with the Palm Beach County Sheriff`s Office. They were brought in, a task force, a
department that usually does that type of thing, drug deals and such. But, they were actually brought in at the request of the Florida Department of
Health.
And, the undercover female officer agent went in, she posed as a patient. And, she said he actually did examine her. He put the blood cuff on. He
took her temperature. She said he was rather inexperienced at it. He did not have a great deal of success. But, finally, he just pronounced her
healthy and told her to take some allergy medicine.
(LAUGHING)
PINSKY: So, let me get this straight. He did not go to medical school. He actually had not had any training. This is so crazy. All right, Terri,
I really appreciate you being here. Thank you so much. And, this is a story we want to keep our eye on.
PARKER: Thanks for having me.
PINSKY: Fascinating. Next up, we have a primetime exclusive. The attorney who represent this young man is here. And, later, I got another
faker. This one posed as a high school student. Tonight, his mother is weighing in. Back after this.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
[21:10:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LOVE-ROBINSON: This story was broadcast everywhere, like I am some insane maniac that is just out here doing crazy things.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LISA BLOOM, CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER: I kind of love this kid. But, give this the kid to me for a year, I could -- We have to redirect him. I think he
got a lot of intelligence. Not nearly as smart as he thinks he is. A lot of creativity. I think he does care about people. He made a lot of really
stupid mistakes but he just needs to be redirected in the right direction.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BLOOM: But, you know, why I love him? Because he has the little head shy, he is like this. He is just a kid. He is a dumb kid. Nobody has gotten
hurt as far as I can tell.
PINSKY: There are stories of him treating women with serious medical conditions. He had no idea what he was doing. In the meantime, they get
sicker and sicker.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PINSKY: I never thought I would say this. But, Lisa Bloom, honey, it is so naive of you. Come on now. Now, that teen was just busted for cashing
checks he stole from an elderly woman, $35,000. We just heard from our reporter, another $40,000 in another city, which the police are, I guess,
alleging he, is still allegations at this point.
We are back, with Rolonda, Sara, Erin, and Mike. The Palm Beach County Sheriff`s Office tweeted this, after Malachi`s second arrest, quote, "Just
because you saw a season of `Grey`s Anatomy` does not mean you can practice medicine." I like to say your Google search is not the same as my medical
degree. It is just not.
(LAUGHING)
WATTS: Web MD.
PINSKY: Yes. I do not know. We also have tape of his business partner here, where he was sort of befuddled. And, if you please advance. Thank
you. After he was arrested before opening a fake medical practice, I want to show you this interview with this befuddled former business partner.
Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PERSEUS WELLS, DR. LOVE`S BUSINESS PARTNER (via phone): He told me he was a natural doctor. So, I do not know anything about natural doctors and
what they do. So, I just took him at his word and seen all the certifications and his degree from some state, Arizona state and
transcripts. You know, so -- what can I say ----
FOSTER: Wow.
WELLS: You know, I mean, I do not know much about it.
PINSKY: Were you surprised? Were you surprised when he was arrested?
WELLS: Was I? Oh, yeah.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PINSKY: And, Sara, now false documents that this guy is alleging from Arizona state. You know, naturopathic doctors have certain licensing
procedures they go through. I am sure he can be claiming whatever -- he is claiming whatever he wants. But, state has an obligation to set a certain
set of standard for people they license. And, if you do not qualify for these standards, you are practicing without a license.
AZARI: All right. And, he did claim -- And, again, of course, he has to prove his claims, but he did claim that he had a slew of certificates from
--
PINSKY: He said Ph.D.
AZARI: A Ph.D. from an unknown -- in an unknown field from an unknown school. But, he did say he had training in neuropathic medicine and that
he had certificates. Now, if he is such a big fraudster as it is sort of being revealed, probably those certificates are of no good. But, you
know, this is a kid who has gotten -- he has gotten around the standard and the law.
WATTS: That is something that bothers.
AZARI: Everything about this bothers me.
WATTS: Everything. But, what really concerns me is the reportedly this 86-year-old woman had a bad stomach ache. She went online, found this guy
and started being treated by him. He reportedly gave her a vitamin, which did nothing for her stomach ache as he is writing checks to pay for his car
on her bank account.
SLATER: Yes. This is way more than him being a fraudster, like this is very serious. What if someone who had cancer or something that he gives
her a bill of health, and says you are fine.
PINSKY: Well, by the way, an 87-year-old abdominal pain is a very, very serious situation. It is a medical situation that can imply many different
very serious problems. It requires a rather extensive workup. Joining me now, Andrew Stine, he is the attorney for the teen. Andrew, thank you so
much for joining us. My question is, what -- what do we do with these allegations of practicing without a license?
ANDREW STINE, ACCUSED TEEN`S ATTORNEY: Well, regarding the practicing without a license, I think you have to look at this as a fact specific type
of case. The undercover officer, who entered the facility that was going to be opened as a medical doctor`s office or a medical clinic was there to
effectuate, to make an arrest.
With that being said, Mr. Love-Robinson told her several times with a witness present that he was not a medical doctor. And, that if she would
want to come back when the doctor was going to be there, they would look to make an appointment for her and she refused.
With that being said, she went into the office and he told her, according to all of the evidence that we have, that when he feels as if he has a sore
throat or he has a sore throat what he does is take an over-the-counter allergy pill. With that being said, he was in a lab coat, allegedly had a
stethoscope around his neck, took her weight, possibly took her blood pressure.
PINSKY: Andrew, let me interrupt you. Let me interrupt you. Respectfully, I have gone to many states and questioned them about what the
licensing standard are. I have two board certifications. I have been licensed in California for 30 years, more than 30 years. Think about how
many years it has been.
And, a couple times I have been asked to go to other states and do things. Now, I contacted the states licensing boards in Texas, in Florida. My
question was, you know, to what extent can I come to your state and interact with people and not be in trouble? It is every state I have
questioned said the following thing.
"Wait, you are coming to our state. You are talking to somebody and based on the words that come out of your mouth, they are doing something. You
are practicing medicine without a license."
SLATER: Wow.
PINSKY: And, that is somebody who is board certified in two different boards. Now, they do not want me there. So, I can just imagine what they
are going to feel about this kid.
STINE: And, I fully understand what you are saying, but he did not hold himself out to the other --
PINSKY: No, no, not holding out. Not holding out. You are coming to our state. You say something. They do something. You are practicing medicine
without a license. Period. End of story. That is what, every licensing board I have spoken to, has said exactly the same thing.
STINE: I would agree with you.
PINSKY: It is practicing without a license. So, but even if I were to say, you know I got hypertension, and I take the following medication.
That is what I do. And, they take the medication. That is practicing medicine.
[21:20:00] STINE: And, I understand what you are saying if you held yourself out to be a doctor.
PINSKY: I do not have of a license in the state. So, I cannot, even though I have two board certifications. But, if I came with a stethoscope
and a white coat on. Hmm. Even though I did not hold or say I am a doctor. Hmm.
SLATER: False advertising.
PINSKY: I wonder what an 87-year-old would think about that. I do not know.
STINE: And, you are right about that. And, you know, that undergoes pretenses. It is a fact specific case. And, it is going to be up to a
jury to decide whether or not they believe that they believe it is reasonable for the individual, meaning the undercover officer, to believe
that he was practicing medicine? That is what they are going to --
PINSKY: So, you have been very sympathetic. Now, is it really -- is it a jury. Because, I can go to jury or just state licensing board is just
going to fine somebody.
AZARI: Well, no, there is two things going on here? I mean -- Well, if he was licensed then he would be facing a proceeding before the state
licensing board.
PINSKY: OK.
AZARI : But, he is not licensed, so he is going to be prosecuted.
PINSKY: For practicing without a license.
AZARI: For practicing without a license.
PINSKY: Yes, but what if I go to Florida and I do something and somebody does something, I am practicing without a license in the state.
AZARI: Right. And, you are going to be answerable to the board in California for --
PINSKY: Would not I also be prosecuted for practicing without a license?
AZARI: Absolutely.
WATTS: And, plus, if the lady went -- allegedly went on the internet and found him. Then he was advertising that he could help her stomach ache and
therefore --
PINSKY: Well, to be fair. We do not know that. Listen, one of the problems with elderly people, the whole field of geriatrics is about trying
to get people that may not have the same perceptions and cognition or vision. They cannot be -- She might not have been able to see what was on
the internet. I am sympathetic to that. But, that is all the more reason why we have to protect people from folks, who may not be -- 87-year-old
with abdominal pain.
That is a potentially life threatening problem. It is cancer until proven, otherwise. The bowel obstruction until proven otherwise. I mean this is
really serious stuff. Thank God that woman turned out OK. I guess, Sara, I know you are very sympathetic to this kid. As the attorney was saying,
it is a fact specific situation, right?
AZARI: It is a fact specific situation. But, it is not limited to just the incident with the undercover. All of his contact is going to come in.
The stethoscope with the white coat, going into the hospital with it.
PINSKY: If you are the defense attorney, Sara. That is not holding me. I am not saying I am a doctor, because I have a stethoscope and white coat
what does that mean?
AZARI: Well, I beg to differ with his lawyer on that.
PINSKY: Right.
AZARI: I beg to differ with his lawyer on that.
PINSKY: And, Mike, you had questions about what it was, that Erin and I were fighting about?
SLATER: Yes. The difference is, I am into politics, you are into law. And, these two doctors here are talking about what they thing it is, and
you said it is auditory hallucinations. And, you said something else. What is this stuff? This happened during the break. So, let us bring it
live.
PINSKY: All right. Real quick. Erin, you think it is bipolar disorder mania.
FOSTER: Perhaps. Yes.
PINSKY: Well. Charlie Sheen had hypomania. That was winning. That was very inflated. His speech is usually pressured. He does not have the
pressured speech, but he has the grandiosity. And, he has this sort of inflated thinking, inflated sense of his self.
SLATER: I am a doctor, of course, I can treat you.
PINSKY: And, it is a mood disturbance. It is particular biology of the brain. As opposed to what we have said in the past this could be, which is
a disorder of one of the regions up here in this region of the brain, where there is actually a genetic problem.
And, they do not perceive things normally, and they can go out there and really not understand they are having consequences and other people, not
understand they are doing something wrong and really have only their self- interest and what is gratifying to them is what they perceive is what is worthwhile, but they can be manipulative.
SLATER: And, no empathy, obviously.
FOSTER: There is no empathy.
WATTS: It sounds like what he was.
PINSKY: Yes, more in the sociopathic realm. But, you know, possibly he could be treated. I certainly not, Lisa Bloom, for a year. That is not
going to do it. Lisa, I am sorry. Thank you, everybody.
Next up, a student takes a teacher`s phone and then shares private pictures of her that were intended for her husband. They were shared with
classmates. This teacher loses her job. Is not this another Erin Andrews situation? Erin says no. School board says no. Back after this.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
[21:20:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
[21:28:04] UNIDNTIFIED MALE REPORTER (voice-over): Arthur had taken valentine photos for her husband, showing herself partially nude.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LEIGH ANNE ARTHUR, TEACHER AT UNION COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL: He took pictures of my phone and sent them from him, from his phone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDNTIFIED MALE REPORTER (voice-over): It was one of her students in the career and technology center that she says caused her undoing. Her phone
was on her desk. And, she was out patrolling the halls during class change. The school district, Arthur says, is holding her responsible for
the pictures getting out, saying she made her phone accessible.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARTHUR: He knows right and wrong. He had the ultimate decision to take pictures of my, my pictures. And, he had the ultimate decision to send
them out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PINSKY: High school teacher forced to resign after seminude photos of her were sent out into the cyberspace by her students. Teacher was outside the
classroom. A male student grabbed the phone. Accessed the pictures, then sent them out to classmates. And, they sent them to the world, I guess.
School says the teacher is to blame, because the she left the students unattended.
SLATER: Of course.
PINSKY: Of course.
WATTS: No.
PINSKY: Back with Rolonda, Sara, Erin, and Mike. Of course, Mike.
(LAUGHING)
SLATER: Guys, you cannot be bringing this trash into the classroom, leave it on their desk and not expect a 16-year-old to maybe possibly get it.
AZARI: Yes.
SLATER: That is so irresponsible for whatever -- a 40-year-old woman to say, "Oh, he knows what is right from wrong."
WATTS: I hope you are kidding.
SLATER: Bring that trash into the classroom and leave it.
WATTS: Wait a minute. Trash?
PINSKY: Whoa, whoa, whoa.
WATTS: I keep my phone locked. I keep my phone locked. Seriously, that woman -- it is her phone. She was sending those pictures to her husband.
That is her business. That kid stole the phone. And, misused his -- his privilege to be in that classroom.
FOSTER: She brought into her classroom. Come on. So irresponsible. We take our phones everywhere.
WATTS: I am surprised at you.
FOSTER: I know.
PINSKY: How dare you. You should be ashamed of yourself. This woman needs some support? Come on now.
FOSTER: No. She got fired for being stupid.
WATTS: What?
AZARI: She was not fired. She was forced to resign.
PINSKY: Please tell me, Sara why is this not another Erin Andrews` situation. And, either way --
AZARI: It is.
PINSKY: I tell my attorney friends if Andrews gets that $75 million, she is asking, you guys are going to get on the next flight to South Carolina
to put her in a civil courtroom, right?
AZARI: Right.
PINSKY: Because it is the same situation.
AZARI: She is a victim.
PINSKY: The guy stole her phone.
SLATER: She has a responsibility to children in her room.
AZARI: This is a 16-year-old. He is not a 12-year-old. OK? He is a 16- year-old creep, who goes to her phone. He had to go through several steps to get to those photos. He goes to the phone. He opens the apps. He gets
to the photo gallery. He then selects what photos he wants to take screen shots of. Sent himself. And, then disseminate over social media. By the
way, that is revenge porn under most state laws.
PINSKY: He stole a phone and he engaged in revenge porn. It is against the law.
SLATER: But, let us be real, like those people can be wrong in this. But, the teacher is the adult, and she should be the most responsible.
AZARI: But, you are acting like this woman is a porn star and like just left her phone there for everybody to see. She is a teacher. This was in
intimate part of her personal life that was in her phone, like all of us have. I am not saying we all have nudes. We all have --
WATTS: Why did you look at me?
(LAUGHING)
SLATER: You lose that expectation when you bring into the classroom. It is taxpayer property that your kids are present. Not appropriate under any
circumstance.
PINSKY: Do you think that is why the school, Rolonda, backed off going after the student, because there are guys like Mike out there?
(LAUGHING)
WATTS: Well, I will say this. Looking at the report, there were, there was a report that she had let the students use her phone often.
PINSKY: I heard that.
WATTS: That is a problem. That is a problem.
PINSKY: She did not say that. She denied that. I do not know if that is true or not.
AZARI: But, just because she let them use her phone on certain occasions with her permission does not give them Carte Blanche to go in through her
phone and pick up her nudes and, and distribute them like while she is not there.
PINSKY: Erin, what is the matter?
FOSTER: Here is the deal. When you work with adolescents, you need to beep aware that they do not have executive functioning yet. They do not
have good decision making yet. You are an adult. You are working with adolescents. You have to think through these things.
AZARI: But, a 16-year-old, who is like post puberty and out to get some.
SLATER: Yes, he should not have to, but you are already making our argument too, because she should also know.
FOSTER: Yes.
SLATER: And, when teachers especially tell kids not to post anything on the internet that could be inappropriate. Do not take selfies, right? How
about a little bit of a role modeling from our teachers?
AZARI: I think it is outrageous that nobody is looking at this kid. He is not facing any discipline by the school.
PINSKY: No, he is now.
AZARI: He is not being charged.
PINSKY: Apparently, he is now.
AZARI: Well, thank God.
PINSKY: There is some news about porn distribution. And, he also after the incident told the teacher "Your day of reckoning is coming." So, there
is some sort of threatening charges there.
AZARI: Sure.
PINSKY: And, there is concern that, that, you know this kid, this kid does need a little bit of work, right? I mean something is wrong with the kid
FOSTER: Who knows if he like flunked the class.
PINSKY: I am weirdly -- But I got to tell you, I am weirdly persuaded by Mike. I am embarrassed. I am embarrassed. I am not on board. I am not
on board, because I do think it is an Erin Andrews` situation in that this woman, her, you know her private space was violated and then distributed on
the internet. That really bothers me. I know Sara is getting on the next plane to South Carolina depending on what the amount is that Andrews gets.
SLATER: The kid went to her house and stole the phone out of her kitchen, then yes. She brought it into the classroom, where it is very easy for a
child to take it.
PINSKY: But -- I am troubled by the idea that easy -- it is just like saying that kid we talked about in the last block. The woman`s checks were
sitting out, it is easy for him to take them.
AZARI: Yes.
SLATER: He is also wrong. He is also wrong. I think we have to be like in one side or the other, like everyone can be wrong. But, the teacher is
the adult.
WATTS: Why cannot that kid know that, that is wrong. You know that is wrong.
SLATER: Absolutely. Parents should be held responsible.
PINSKY: And, the teacher says, you know, she has some quotes here. They are very similar to her from Erin Andrews. She says, quote, "The whole
premise of my privacy being invaded is being ignored." I do think -- Mike, you -- you bothered me. You bothered me.
(LAUGHING)
Because I want to protect kids. And, when I first heard the story too, I had a little same feeling like "Why did she have it in the room?" you know.
But, then I am like, the kid stole the phone. The kid opened the phone. He probably just was so happy that it had not locked out yet.
Of course, she intended it to lock out. Of course, you know, you want to be as vigilant as you can around kids and have the phone lock quicker. It
is her mistake that, that happened. But, it does not make what the kid did OK or right.
SLATER: Would you bring an alcohol to a bar?
PINSKY: Sometimes.
SLATER: Really? You would bring alcohol around an alcoholic.
PINSKY: Sometimes. It depends what stage you are at.
SLATER: Well, would you leave in anyway anything remotely pornographic to an underaged kid.
PINSKY: No. And, I would not. If somebody who is a heroin addict, I am not having --
WATTS: Well, that is the thing.
AZARI: So, you are assuming that this --
WATTS: That kid is sick though.
AZARI: Right. And, also --
SLATER: Any 16-year-old boy is sick.
(LAUGHING)
AZARI: You are also assuming that this woman, she probably did not even remember she had this photo. It is not like she is in the business of
taking nudes.
[21:35:00] PINSKY: Now, Erin, that may be true. Sara is talking from experience.
AZARI: What? No.
PINSKY: What? Last thought.
FOSTER: Have not we seen that nudes get out. It is happening with celebrities. If you are going to take nudes, put it in photo lock. Put it
in the photo booth and you lock it.
PINSKY: But, still people should be able to have their private space on their electronic equipment. And, Sara, I apologize. I do not mean to make
-- In good fun. I see you.
AZARI: Right. No, look. I have had clients` nudes in my phone. I mean there are things that people can get to if they go through my phone. The
bottom line is what is going on --
PINSKY: Listen. There are stuffs --
AZARI: You cannot do that.
PINSKY: Who amongst us does not have something in here that they are like, makes you pause.
WATTS: Yes. Those are before and after shots when you do a diet. If that got out, that would be horrible.
(LAUGHING)
PINSKY: All right. I got more crazy behavior. This time from a Ukrainian man who posed as a Pennsylvania high school student. He is busted.
Tonight, his mother tells us what she believes really happened. Back after this.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
[21:40:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDO CLIP)
PINSKY: Another fake high school student. This time, it is a 23-year-old man whom police say was sleeping with a 15-year-old classmate.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: Anything to the people that you lied to?
ARTUR SAMARIN, AKA "ASHER POTTS" ALLEGED FAKE STUDENT: My deepest apologies.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: He used a fake birth certificate and social security card to get into Harrisburg High School.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: He excelled making the honor roll.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAMANTHA SCHACHER, HOST OF "POP TRIGGER" ON HULU.COM: He has no business going to a high school. This is not "21 Jump Street."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAMARIN: Ukrainian people were starving.
ERICA AMERICA, PSYCHOTHERAPIST: We do not know how bad it is in his home country that he wants to get here that bad. I just want to put that out
there
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PINSKY: Is he speaking something truthful or is he a sociopath manipulating me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
AMERICA: This is dangerous. This is very dangerous.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PINSKY: And, a woman claiming to be the biological mother of Artur Samarin known to his classmates as Asher Potts, sound like something out of "It is
a Wonderful Life." She has e-mailed the Harrisburg affiliate from her home in the Ukraine. We have re-created what she wrote. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE SPEAKER: I am the mother of Artur. I am in Ukraine, I am writing using a translator. Artur had warned in November that he was
afraid of something. Tell him please that I believe in him. I am sure that he could not do anything wrong.
I know that he just wanted to got a good education. I could not help to get him here. Please convey to him that I love him very much. He is my
dearest person in the world. I wish him great happiness and goodness. I kiss my son. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PINSKY: Back with Rolonda, Sara, Erin, and Mike. Rolonda, just a better education. Does this back up the story of this kid?
WATTS: I do not know. It seems a little cold to me. It seems a little distant for a mother seemed. It seemed --
PINSKY: You do not come from that part of the world like I do.
WATTS: OK.
(LAUGHING)
PINSKY: So --
WATTS: But, that is not my child. That is not my child. It is very scary. You just wonder how somebody could fake it out that long to go
through high school.
PINSKY: Well, listen, again the whole show tonight. People that lie and manipulate, distort and do not see that they are doing so or do not really
feel unjustified in doing so. Here he is talking to a reporter from prison. They even talked about his biological family. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAMARIN: Ukrainian people were starving. My family, my mother, my grandfather and my grandma. They put their last money for me to come here.
And, they told me, "Hey, wish you well. Do your best, man. Do it for all of us."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PINSKY: Mike.
SLATER: Guys. Who -- who cares about any of this. He was 22 and he had sex with a 15-year-old.
PINSKY: That is right.
FOSTER: Yes.
PINSKY: That is exactly right.
SLATER: Who cares about his mom? Who cares about what his conditions were in the home country.
PINSKY: Yes.
SLATER: He had sex with a 15. He knew he was 22.
PINSKY: The defense attorney is leaning in. What is up, Sara?
(LAUGHING)
AZARI: No. Here is the deal with that. I see -- I have talked about this before. Unfortunately, statutory rape laws, it is like a blanket. This is
illegal. The guy is over 18. She is under 18 and that is boom, statutory rape.
But, there is a problem with that. I have a real problem with this law, because it is a case by case, case specific thing. OK? It is not uncommon
for a 15 or 16-year-old to have sex with a 22-year-old or 23-year-old. He is still a boy. He is over 18 --
PINSKY: Hold on. Slow your roll.
AZARI: But he is not a 52-year-old.
PINSKY: Slow your roll. The difference between a 16-year-old or 15-year- old is the cognitive development. Again, back to our brain thing. The development of this thing is vastly different at 15, particularly at this
part. 15 than 16. It is essentially all cases. A 23-year-old is an adult. An adult with a child. The child is not in position to consent
you. You know that.
AZARI: But, you know what? You are getting into the psychology of it all, which you know --
PINSKY: No. No. I am getting to the facts.
AZARI: Well, no. I am getting into the legal facts.
PINSKY: No. Adult versus child. That is not psychology.
AZARI: You see. I disagree with that. You take the stand, it is always the bigger person taking care of the little person.
PINSKY: I do take that stand.
AZARI: Right. And, I do not. I believe that it is a case by case thing. I think here, you know, it is not unusual, these days, for 15-year-olds to
have sex with, you know, 22-year-old or 23-year-olds. It is very different than the creepy uncle.
PINSKY: All right. I am going to jump off that for a second, because our CNN affiliate WPMT spoke to a source, who has knowledge about the adoptive
parents. They have reportedly moved to a location where they feel safe. And, also, feel like they are trying to help a young man who needed help
and was abandoned. Huh. That is what they say.
Coming up -- a Pennsylvania lawmaker, who befriended Asher is here. Be interesting to hear what he has the to say. Back after this.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ARTUR SAMARIN, AKA "ASHER POTTS" ALLEGED FAKE STUDENT: I just want to have a better life. That is it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBIN MEADE, HLN HOST: A 23-year-old Ukrainian man who allegedly posed as a high school student for four years.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAMARIN: Ukrainian people were starving.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: He used a fake birth certificate and social security card to get into Harrisburg High School.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: He excelled making the honor roll.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE SPEAKER: I can understand the desperation to not want to go back and to make something of yourself in this country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: He says he came to the U.S. in 2012 and met Michael and Stephayne Potts. He claims he reached out to them for help
when his visa expired.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARTUR SAMARIN: And, Stephayne came up with the idea that, "We are going to adopt you. We are going to bump five years of age and we can adopt you."
I love the United States. It is a land of opportunity for all of us immigrants. And, this land provided me with opportunities.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[21:50:00] PINSKY: A 23-year-old remains behind bars. Tonight, he faces 10 charges including two sex crimes for an alleged relationship with a 15-
year-old classmate. Last night, I asked his friend, whom I was speaking to, if he had witnessed any suspicious behavior prior to all this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARCEL MCCASKILL, FRIEND OF ARTUR SAMARIN: Nothing at all. He always had a smile on his face. He always wanted to take pictures with everyone. He
was just the type of guy that if you are feeling -- if you are in a bad mood, he would find a way to lighten your day.
He honestly was a very, very socially friendly guy. And, I keep on saying it is really mind blowing to see him in the news like this. He had the top
of the line grades. He is very respectful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PINSKY: He is 23, and he allegedly had sex with a 15-year-old. Patty Kim is a state representative in Pennsylvania. She was there when Asher was
inducted into the national honor society. And, she joins us by phone. Patty, what do you think about all this?
PATTY KIM, PA STATE REPRESENTATIVE: Shocking to say the least. Never expected this nice happen. I have been in politics for over ten years. I
have a pretty good filter as to who is lying to me and who is not. I got pretty much duped by this young man
PINSKY: Do you think that these adoptive parents have some role to play -- alleged adoptive parents, if they even exist, we do not even know, but do
you think they have some responsibility here?
REP. KIM: You know, looking back, trying to think, did I miss anything. You know? Were there any signs? And I did have a meeting with the -- I
guess, adoptive parents with Asher. And, the mother has a very strong personality. Like 90 percent of our conversation which is a whole hour
meeting in my office, she spoke the whole time.
And, so, I am concluding that Asher loved the United States. He fell in love. He wanted to stay. Got desperate. And -- unfortunately, took the
advice of his adoptive parents, and one lie led to another. And, now he is in this awful mess
PINSKY: And, this woman presented herself to you as his mom, is that correct?
REP. KIM: Yes. She never said adoptive. She is African-American. His so-called adoptive father is Jewish. You know, I know there are so many
blended families. You know, I did not ask any questions. So, it was just, yes. That is, that is, yes. Still in shock.
PINSKY: There is something else. I mean, but, listen, I guess you were not in a position to really be judging was this, was there truth to who
this kid was. I mean nothing tipped you off at all. But, I do appreciate you joining us, Patty. Thank you for that. We are trying to make sense of
this.
Caroline Potts is Asher Potts` adoptive grandmother. Remember Asher Potts is not his real name. And, the grandmother told an PennLive, it is an
online newspaper, that Asher`s parents as you just heard, the adoptive parents were biracial.
Now, in documents obtained by PennLive, Asher Potts checked off the box labeled black or African-American to describe his ethnicity. So, to me,
Rolonda, this is just another level of manipulation, right? He is trying to get access, whatever benefit he can get by identifying with a certain
ethnicity. Does that make sense?
WATTS: Does this remind you of another story, Dolezal.
PINSKY: Yes. Yes.
WATTS: Rachel Dolezal.
PINSKY: You know what? Dolezal, though, to me seems -- that was sort of a, "I wish to be that in order to be a part of a movement." This is "I
wish to identify that to get what I can from the system."
WATTS: Right. Exactly.
PINSKY: That is a much more disgusting thing.
WATTS: It just shows the levels of deceit --
PINSKY: Yes.
WATTS: -- that allegedly this young man was going through. That is a real shame. He never even got to graduate, you know. And, he just messed up
his life on this whole lie.
PINSKY: We got more. Stay with us. There is a lot more this panel has to say. I got more tapes to show you about this kid. Everything about him
seems to be a lie. And, he may have got any way with if he had not had sex with a 15-year-old. We are back after this.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
[21:55:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARTUR SAMARIN: To Americans, you have a lot of opportunities. Take those opportunities, because I did not have a chance, you do. You have a chance
to succeed in this life. You were born here.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: Anything to the people that you lied to?
ARTUR SAMARIN: My deepest apologies.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PINSKY: That young man`s attorney is working to have his $240,000 bond reduce, so he could be released from prison while awaiting trial. Back
with Rolonda, Sara, Erin, and Mike. And, Sara, you had a comment here?
AZARI: Yes, I think, you know, to put this into perspective. I think we all need to remember that this kid was immersed in high school life for
four years, while there was a second time around or not is irrelevant.
The fact of the matter is, is that he was this acne-ridden, you know, high school kid, who was enrolled in ROTC. He was on the honor roll. And, he
really believed that he was a high school student. So, you keep saying that he had sex with a 15-year-old. He viewed himself as, you know, her
equal.
PINSKY: Erin, what do you say?
FOSTER: No. He is a child abuser. Period. Paragraph. This is child abuse.
PINSKY: Guys, what if another 25-year-old went -- I really convinced myself I was a high school student. That is why I had sex with the 14-
year-old.
AZARI: But, he lived it, day in and day out. It is not that he just -- you know, for four years, he was immersed in this. And, I do not see that
as the same as what --
PINSKY: Rolonda, all I know is that if I need a defense attorney, I am calling Sara. That is what I say. And, Mike you, got me to change my
opinion the you can be my expert witness, if we need it. But, listen, I am very troubled by this case.
I think most of the cases -- well, other than the teacher tonight, most of the cases we talked about were young people with very serious pathology.
They really are serial criminals in my humble opinion. DVR us then you can watch us any time. We thank you all for watching. This panel did a great
job. I will tell you what, we will just see you next time.
[22:00:00] (MUSIC PLAYING)
END
