Bogus credentials

Tuesday, June 3, 2008 | 2:05 a.m.

Many people knew Raymond Giunta as “Dr. Ray,” a clinical psychologist who had served as a pastor in charge of counseling at one of Las Vegas’ largest churches. His license plate read “CAREDOC” and he wore a lab coat when counseling or leading seminars.

He helped Metro officers after the shooting death of Sgt. Henry Prendes and volunteered his services for the Youth Firesetting Intervention Program. His work with young fire setters led him to the Juvenile Court system, where he evaluated children, offered recommendations and, in some cases, diagnosed them with mental illnesses.

Last year his ministry signed a contract with Clark County to run an outpatient juvenile drug and alcohol treatment program. The county pulled its contract with Giunta only this year after learning that neither Giunta nor anyone on his staff was licensed to perform drug and alcohol counseling.

As Tony Cook reported in Monday’s Las Vegas Sun, Giunta is not licensed by the state of Nevada to provide any type of clinical treatment or counseling. And his graduate degrees come from Rochville University, an online degree mill that offers a “master’s and doctoral degree package” for $769. There are no classes to take and no questions asked.

Many people believed Giunta was what he said — a doctor — including a few churches, the county and even Family Court Judge William Voy, who sent juveniles to Giunta because of Giunta’s work with the fire prevention program.

“I didn’t think anything of it,” Voy said. “Here you’ve got Firesetters using him for psychological testing, he’s got a Ph.D. after his name — what am I supposed to assume?”

County officials apparently saw things the same way, hiring Giunta without checking his credentials. It should be standard practice to check, particularly with adults working with children. A quick Google search would have revealed that his graduate degrees are bogus, but instead officials relied on his puffed-up resume and reputation. They should be ashamed.