All I will say is I am not surprised at all. As for the principals of this business, what goes around comes around and it has been waiting to come around for several years.
Layton backed out some time last year, and I am not sure what happened to Jay, but I am almost positive he is still there. I did hear their old assistant president is back, and taken over the reigns as the pres. My understanding is Jay hired her back, but don't quote me on it. Jay was in 50/50 with Jacquie, they started it up when they were still married together, so I am just assuming he is 100% in charge now and trying to rescue it from drowning. Who knows, it may work out for him if she didn't taint the name of the school too badly.
Article with statements from Jay, Bob Layton, and an "un-named former teacher"
Fraud charges shock former teachers of broadcasting school Updated: Thu Aug. 14 2008 17:13:29
Amanda Ferguson, ctvedmonton.ca
A handful of former teachers who used to work at a disputed Edmonton broadcasting school say they are shocked to hear of the charges laid against its owner.
Radio host Jungle Jay Hamilton, a former teacher and ex-husband to Jacquie Hammond, says he can't believe the owner of the Canadian School of Modern Broadcasting is currently in jail in Savannah, Georgia.
"I never thought or even would even suspect that she would even pull all these things on us," he said. "We've been in business for 10 years."
Hammond is facing 17 felony counts in relation to her Modelling and Talent Agency. The charges include financial transaction card fraud, identity theft and theft by deception.
CTV News first aired a story Wednesday after a student complained about the lack of professionalism at the Canadian School of Modern Broadcasting.
Student Scott O'Donnell said he stopped going to the school about two months into his classes after some of his teachers stopped appearing regularly.
When CTV News stopped by the school's downtown office Wednesday, only empty tables, chairs, boxes and a disconnected phone line were present.
O'Donnell said he is now stuck with a $5,000 student loan.
The institution's website labels the school as the "perfect environment" for students to achieve their very best using "state-of-the-art equipment and tops-in-their field professional instructors."
Since airing the story, the Alberta Education and Technology Department says 10 students have stepped forward with similar complaints.
Department spokesman Kevin Donnan says they are ready to act if any evidence is found.
"In a heart beat," he said. "If there is any indication whatsoever of fraud, criminal activity, any indication at all we are going to Justice and Attorney General as soon as possible."
Jungle Jay left the school in November 2007, along with another well-known broadcasting figure, Global personality Bob Layton.
One teacher, who asked not to be named, said it was big names like theirs that drew him into the school.
"When I originally started anyone who was anybody literally was teaching there and that's why I felt no problem going with it," he said.
He says he worries his reputation could be on the line.
"Who expects this," he said. "That's crazy. I'm still in shock."
Meanwhile, some former students said they are releaved to hear Hammond is in jail.
"I was actually happy that this happened, that justice in a way was served," Sylvie Gaudet said.
Isn't it ironic that Jacquie taught "law and ethics" at CSMB?
Students who did attend that school had to harass her for their diplomas when they completed the course. And some never received a final marks outline....
Any time anyone asks me about these "fly-by-night" radio school-type places, I always tell them to steer clear - and I'm speaking from experience...not just second-hand news!
For the most part, places like CSMB just in it to make a fast buck, willing to take cash from anyone (for Gods sake, there was a dude with a lisp in my class!). They always talk about their "entrance requirements" which apparently consist of the potential student having a checkbook. Did anyone actually see the news report on Global TV about CSMB? (http://www.canada.com/globaltv/edmonton/video/index.html - look for "Signed Off" under the "Global Edmonton Stories" tab) The kid they were interviewing about losing all his money COULDN'T TALK!!! He had a major speech impediment (it seemed like he was talking through his teeth...his jaw wasn't opening at all)...is this guy really going to get a job in radio? Probably not!
National Institute of Broadcasting was another one that was always a little shady...for poops and giggles, I decided to Google them and see if they're still around; turns out they are, but only in Toronto. And they have some of their "talent" showcased on their website:
Take a listen...are ANY of these people going to get jobs in radio? Most likely, no...but they are the proud new owners of a ton of debt - and piece of paper that says they're radio personalities.
The kid they were interviewing about losing all his money COULDN'T TALK!!! He had a major speech impediment (it seemed like he was talking through his teeth...his jaw wasn't opening at all)...is this guy really going to get a job in radio? Probably not!
Um, actually, based on what I'm hearing on the radio these days I think the answer is YES.
iNews880 is perfect example. Heard some kid on there Saturday morning mumbling and warbling - couldn't understand a bloody word she said.
That kid will be perfect for CHED's overnight "news" as well. No reading or Geography knowledge is required there either. Or do they even have overnight "news" anymore? I stopped listening quite some time ago. Mind you, he's not bad looking, perhaps Vancouver morning TV co-anchor? (as per another thread).
A lot of the students at the CSMB wanted to be DJ's - in clubs. Or work with music mixing, or writing copy. They didn't need to have great voices.
That said - I never encouraged anyone to go there. I think it had the same fault as NAIT - trying to teach everything without specializing in anything. I wish NAIT had specific tracks students could go into - sales, announcing, news. It would make their students a little more useful to the industry. At least at NAIT they had two years of classes, not the four months the CSMB gave them.
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