July 2004

Karate Instructor Found Guilty Of Unethical Conduct. Shaikh N. Omar on the ropes and feeling the pressure…      What you think about the Grand Master issue? Please take our survey!  On Sunday, November 23, 2003 Shaikh N. Omar was found guilty for unethical conduct by an assembly martial art instructors during a special call meeting to hear testimony, reviewed evidence and deliberated on the charge of unjustifiable promotions based on substandard and limited karate training as well as conduct unbecoming of a martial arts instructor. The most crucial of the charges focused on the fact Omar promoted beginner student Louis Alston during a near three-year training period to 10th degree, Grand Master Karate Instructor, the highest possible level known in martial arts. The assembly consisted of approximately (22) well-respected instructors - many of them high-ranking master instructors having an average of 25-40 years of teaching experience in Japanese, Chinese, Korean and American martial arts. It was discovered by the committee that Omar had grossly violated the trust and integrity of the art through a number of acts throughout the years. Omar was found to have provided limited karate training to white belt Louis Alston over nearly three years. During the first year of training Alston was promoted to “black belt in self-defense” only according to Omar after being confronted by other instructors concerned about the action. Approximately one year later Alston claimed to have been promoted to 3rd degree black belt and finally after a total of approximately three years Omar promoted Alston to 10th degree “Grand Master”. Based on witness testimony, the review of training or the lack thereof and other evidence presented to the committee it was determined that Omar benefited from a significant yet undisclosed amount of money. Omar misrepresenting his true rank, status and authority in the martial arts community. Apparently Omar, recognizing Alston’s yawning desire to be a black belt, played it for all it was worth by milking him and falsely representing the progress of Alston’s ongoing training. A second charge discussed by the committee was the fact that Omar has sold to Alston the karate system of “Te Goju”, an admission made by Alston to several witnesses. Evidently, Alston was not aware or did not care to investigate if Omar had any reasonable authority to sell any karate system. When Alston received information from reliable sources that Omar may have done him a grave injustice Alston simply blew it off stating that Omar is the head of his system and could do what ever he wanted to do. Omar’s wavering admissions and denials of promoting Alston to Grand Master or selling him a karate system demonstrated to members of the committee his lack of concern for the image and welfare of students training with him. Omar willfully set the stage for Alston to go into the community believing he would be accepted as a legitimate instructor by other organizations that invest an enormous amount of resources to train, teach and promote martial arts. Additional allegations touched on Omar’s attempts to target individuals that may display a needy personality profile. He would entice them by offering black belt rank for little or no serious or acceptable training.  Any want-a-be who has dabbled in and out of karate training and had no real chance of becoming a black belt under a normal class may training with Omar to in an attempt to accomplish their goal. The Committee accepts the fact that Omar is capable of training and promoting quality black belt students has he has done in early years. There are a few students trained by Omar that are recognized black belt instructors by the committee. However, it seems that in recent years Omar has chosen to go down the dark side by focusing on “self” rather than “student”. There are pass rumors of the lack of attention given by Omar to students by having under-black-belt students teach class beyond reason. This did not set well with past parents of students disenchanted with his management style.  As a result of the hearing the committee agreed to the following. ·         Denounce the inappropriate promotion of Louis Alston to Grand Master by Shaikh N. Omar. ·         The assembly agreed to a joint Declaration that Shaikh N. Omar does not have the authority to promote individuals to Grand Master based on common laws, ethics and practices within karate-do and the martial art way. ·         The assembly agreed to not recognize Shaikh N. Omar as the head instructor in the art of “Tae Goju”, “Sho Go Te” or any other form these arts may be represented by him as. ·         The assembly agreed to draft a letter of Reprimand and request that Shaikh N. Omar rescind the rank of Grand Master given to Louis Alston. ·         The assembly agreed that Shaikh N. Omar should adjust the rank of Louis Alston to a level reasonable with the guidelines that govern karate-do and similar martial art training. ·         The assembly agreed that the findings of this committee may be distributed to the public in an effort to minimize any potential mental, moral and financial damage to the general community (i.e. businesses, parks & recreation departments and individuals) that may consider contracting the service of Shaikh N. Omar and Louis Alston in the area of martial art activity. After the hearing Omar was still encouraged a number of times in the months that followed to engage in friendly dialogue in an attempt to minimize further fallout stemming from the committee’s action. It was hoped that Omar would be willing to listen to reason from close associates long before the matter came to the attention of the assembly and voluntarily make adjustments to the ranks of not only Alston but other questionable students that may have receive black belts from him between the years 2002 to 2004. They also wanted Omar to conform to fair student training and promoting practices in the future. However, Omar refused to do so. Despite Omar’s refusal it seems that he has been feeling the pressure of the review panel and thousands of his karate peers. The Martial Arts Foundation has received an overwhelming number of responses from black belt instructors, master instructors and grand master instructors through Florida, the United States and other parts of the world that have express outrage in Omar’s behavior.  And felt that it is important that the general public be given notice of their position. The kicks, punches and takedowns coming from the martial art community may have placed Omar against the ropes forcing him to re-evaluate at least the outward appearance on how he operates his school. But it may now be too little too late. The Louis Alston/Grand Master issue was the straw that broke the camel’s back and the start of a long line of questions regarding Omar’s training practices. Omar’s actions sparked additional inquiries that point to many other situations where he has been less than honorable in both his public and private dealings on a number of other matter not related to the charges. It is unfortunate that many of Omar’s students unaware of his pass acts and increasingly unpopular reputation may now suffer from non-recognition of their training, ranks and could possibility be banded from future karate competition, seminars and other activities sectioned by martial art organizations. To prevent any long-term fallout key members of the Martial Arts Foundation have had periodic side bar discussions on how to assist students of Omar and Alston from receiving direct repercussion on a case-by-case basis. Students that are interested in exploring the possible affects of training with Omar and Alston may contact the Martial Arts Foundation. For those interested in joining a karate class for the first time can contact MAF for basic information on what to look for before signing up.

Louis Alston’s claims of being a karate “GRAND MASTER” removed from master’s website… Louis Alston Louis Alston, who proudly claimed the title of “Dr. Alston, Grand Master” was the topic of discussion along with his karate teacher, Shaikh N. Omar, by a special called assembly of martial art instructors in November 2003. Approximately (22) karate instructors with an average of 30-40 years experience of Japanese, Chinese, Korean and American martial art styles heard testimony, reviewed evidence and deliberated on the charge of unjustifiable promotions and substandard training to Alston, who received rank from Omar during a three year period. During the assembly it was revealed that based on normal training and promoting practices Alston invested little training time with Omar but plenty of money in his quest to become a major player in the martial arts arena. Alston having over 22 years of law enforcement experience with the Broward County Sheriff Office had made claims to be a “Grand Master” in the art of “Sho Go Te” and “Te Goju” (two karate styles he was supposedly receiving training instructions from Omar – a self proclaimed eight degree black belt of the arts in question). Over two thousand black belt instructors, master instructors and grand master instructors were taken back and outraged after being notified about what had happen. Approximately 95 per cent of instructors responding to the issue will refuse to recognize both Omar and Alston as legitimate karate instructors and would not acknowledge any ranks awarding by them to their students. Questions began to arise about Omar and Alston shortly after they made public appearances at a few martial art events that drew a number of prestigious martial artists. Instructors also became aware of a website highlighting karate masters that, for a fee of a few hundred dollars, included Alston as a grand master and listed his location and assumed styles of training.  It was later discovered after tremendous criticism from the martial arts community that Alston’s claim of “Grand Master” and other personal information had been removed from the site to be replaced by another martial arts individual. It is not clear that the removal of Alston from the master’s website was due to the criticism but it was definitely a coincidence. This is not the first time some one has claimed to be a black belt instructor of high rank and there will always be individuals that do so. But, many view the Alston/Omar incident as the most extreme. In the past when such individuals are caught they will isolate themselves until they can set up shop away from those that understand martial art protocol. They will point the finger elsewhere and attempt to distract attention from themselves by such acts of changing the name of the school, removing or changing the uniform patch or logo and may even go as far as to change their method of technical training to market themselves to the unsuspecting public once again. The martial arts community is not saying to Omar and Alston that they cannot create their own martial art style. The problem comes when they process little or no formal training or rank in the proclaim systems in question. Omar cannot also claim a system that is not his and sell it to someone else. Alston has been totally discredited by the martial arts community and is no longer an issue. But the martial arts community considers any continued behavior by both Omar and Alston as “Ronin” (outlaw) martial artists.

So what is the motivation for Omar to do this? Sources that know Omar well describe him to be a gambler, con artist and womanizer. He is in constant need of money and uses his Masters of Psychology to take advantage of students, parents and friends through a variety of schemes on various levels. Claiming to be a practicing Muslim Omar has acquired such a bad reputation that fellow Muslims limit their association with him. Alston on the other hand is said to have receive a significant settlement amount stemming from a lawsuit. And perhaps having a great desire to be a part of the martial arts world Omar took the opportunity to prey on the weak and ignorant. Alston must also carry some blame especially after being told by several respected instructors that the ranks he received from Omar is not acceptable in Karate-do. And the fact that he has some history about what goes on in real karate training. Alston has even gone to the extent of having his name listed on at lease one website (http://www.masterssite.com/gm_alston.htm) that recognizes anyone claiming to be a master or grand master for a fee. Upon examination to the site it offers this service as purely a fund-raiser for the organization and states that the listing is not a validation or rank.

So what’s the big deal? Well, for those who know little or nothing about karate training and its ranking system may understand by an example of a student attending an academic school. Basically, a doctor or lawyer must first pass elementary school (beginners level); middle school (intermediate level); high school (advance level); undergraduate (black belt level); grad-school (master level) and finally doctorate (high master level). To do so takes an average of twenty years of consistent studies to say the lease. Now, imagine a student making this accomplishment in three years. Get the point! The general public not knowing this can serious compromise their training status in martial arts without even knowing or understanding what happen. Acts of giving promotions without fundamental standards de-values the rank of every accomplished martial artist on all levels. Nevertheless, Omar and Alston are maintaining a position of extreme defiance. 

What you think about the Grand Master issue? Please take our survey!

Former Karate Instructor Charged In Kickback Scheme
BY STEVE HARRISON sharrison@herald.com
A Broward School District maintenance supervisor instigated a kickback scheme that cost taxpayers at least $25,000, the Broward State Attorney's Office alleges. Joseph Lofoco, 54, faces three felony charges for his role in placing phony orders for air-conditioning chemicals. The district paid the bills, and Lofoco took a cut of the payments to New York-based Cascade Water Services, the supplier. Lofoco, who made about $45,000 a year, was responsible for helping maintain air conditioners in schools and other district-owned buildings. He resigned earlier this month after he was charged. Local Cascade representative Sheldon Joel Goldstein, of Coral Springs, told investigators from the state attorney's office that Lofoco came to him in 1999 and said the school system was receiving complaints about the quality of Cascade's service. Goldstein said Lofoco then proposed a scam in which he would order chemicals that would never be delivered. According to the state attorney's complaint, Goldstein went along with the scheme because he was worried
about losing the school system contract. Goldstein told investigators he did not take any of the money. Here's how the scam worked: Lofoco submitted orders for chemicals used to treat the water in air conditioners. Goldstein — with the knowledge of Cascade President Eugene Klochkoff — billed the
school district but did not deliver any chemicals. Goldstein then wrote checks to himself on Cascade's account, cashed them, and paid Lofoco with cash. It's not clear where the remaining cash ended up. Goldstein has pleaded guilty to perjury. Goldstein identified for investigators four invoices between March 24, 2000, and Feb. 17, 2001, totaling $25,245. Lofoco's cut: $7,362. A school district employee found that Lofoco was buying more chemicals than needed and reported the discrepancy. "He was buying too much of the stuff," said Associate Superintendent John Quercia, who oversees the maintenance department. "Once we found out about this, we removed him from the office immediately." School officials forwarded the case to the state attorney's office in the spring of 2001. Assistant State Attorney John Hanlon, who is prosecuting Lofoco, declined to comment. Goldstein declined to comment Tuesday. Lofoco has a status hearing in January. The most serious charge against him — grand theft, a second-degree felony — carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. The Lofoco case is the second troubling incident for the maintenance department this year. This fall, roofing supervisor Leo Kuchenreuther resigned after one of his foremen videotaped him goofing off at work.

Miami-Dade Karate Instructor Charged With Sexually Molesting  Boys
 
Ruben Torres, 41, of Miami, was arrested Friday and charge

Police said the four boys, two of them age 13 and two of them 14, were molested by Torres over a three year period inside a south Miami-Dade County home.

A Miami-Dade police spokesman wouldn't say if Torres lived in the home where the alleged incidents took place, or if the boys were his students.

Torres was being held at Miami-Dade County Jail late Monday. It was not immediately known if he had a lawyer.

Police urged parents who enrolled their children in Shotokan karate lessons with Torres to ask their children if they were abused. (AP)