Journalist David Skinner Responds

On November 18, 2009, Bernofsky corresponded with a Washington, DC journalist named David Skinner.  From his response, it is clear that he had neither knowledge of Bernofsky nor the individual who wrote to Bernofsky under the guise of "David Skinner," and who ultimately was revealed to be Raymond Reggie.

According to the Washington, DC journalist, the name David Skinner is not uncommon.  The exchange of emails is reprinted below.


— 2009 —

SENDER: tulanelink@aol.com
TO: DSkinner@neh.gov
SUBJECT: Impersonation
DATE: 11/18/2009
MESSAGE: Dear Mr. Skinner,

In March 2007, I received the first of a series of emails from an individual claiming to be David Skinner, a Washington, DC journalist, who traveled to New Orleans to investigate the activities of Raymond "Ray" Reggie, who had recently been released from prison for bank fraud. His father, former judge Edmund Reggie, had been convicted of a similar crime.

More recently, I have been receiving malicious emails from this same individual who has been attempting (unsuccessfully) to compromise my computer with malware.

From a reliable third party source, I learned that this "David Skinner" is actually Ray Reggie himself, and I am wondering whether you had ever written anything about him or his family that would cause him to impersonate, or otherwise create mischief for you. His sister is Victoria Reggie Kennedy, wife of the deceased senator. Years ago, I had publicized certain facts about her that might be the reason he is attempting to impose his roguery on me.

I have now compiled the emails from the bogus "David Skinner" along with my responses and will share them with you if have any interest. Knowing the harm of which Mr. Reggie is capable, I am reluctant to distribute these emails widely.

Please let me have your thoughts on this matter.

Sincerely,

Carl Bernofsky, Ph.D.
(Retired Professor, Tulane University)

109 Southfield Road, Apt. 51H
Shreveport, Louisiana 71105
(318) 869-××××*


SENDER: DSkinner@neh.gov
TO: tulanelink@aol.com
SUBJECT: Re: Impersonation
DATE: 11/19/2009
MESSAGE: Dr. Bernofsky,

What a strange email you have sent me. You don't seem to be in doubt about this, but I'll gladly confirm that I have never heard of you or Reggie Ray, nor have I sent such emails. Nor have I even been to New Orleans (to my regret).

Would you mind sending me the first such email you received in March 07 and maybe the most recent one? Or maybe just quote some of their text, so I can have a better view of what's going on?

David Skinner


SENDER: tulanelink@aol.com
TO: DSkinner@neh.gov
SUBJECT: Re: Impersonation
DATE: 11/19/2009
MESSAGE: Mr. Skinner,

Here is a temporary link to the referenced emails. I'll leave it on the Web for a day or so to give you a chance to read and print a copy for your own use. I'm still debating whether to go ahead and post it permanently on my tulanelink site.

http://www.unequaljustice.com/cases/rayreggie2_temp2.htm

Mr. Reggie appears to be a sick individual who is unpredictable and possibly dangerous. Please note that I am sending a copy of this email to another person who also has been a victim of his strange, underhanded tactics.

Sincerely,

Carl Bernofsky


SENDER: DSkinner@neh.gov
TO: tulanelink@aol.com
SUBJECT: Re: Impersonation
DATE: 11/19/2009
MESSAGE: Dr. Bernofsky.

One, are you sure the original correspondence was not genuine? There is another journalist named David Skinner who uses the byline Dave Skinner. I traded emails with him once, but at that time (around late '99) he lived not in Washington DC. I'm not sure this would have been his type of story, but it's certainly not mine. Which is to say, it's not clear to me that it's my identity that's being borrowed here.

I did not read the correspondence very closely after the first email, but the later ones look like typical computer-generated virus spam.

David

Carl Bernofsky
Posted: January 6, 2010



* Telephone number has been redacted for privacy.




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