Ocoee, Florida / Richard Hackworth / American Dragon Martial Arts Academies

**Snake Plissken** · Posted On: 9/01/2007 11:14am

Originally Posted by I'm Spartacus

But *IS* Hackworth a milionaire or not ?

It's all hard to tell. It reminds me a bit of the Milt Wallace thing.
Is it safe to assume this man is about 40?
If so, I'll post what I was able to come up with so far.

**Bigzilla** · Posted On: 1/26/2008 3:13am

Originally Posted by disco

I know this must have been a subject before, but I tried a search and there was no responce (web site not responding). Anybody have any info on a GM Hackworth? Lots of ties to Korean styles. Thanks for any input.

I remember in the late 1990's, Taekwondo Master's Al Cole and Glenn Uesugi uncovered a huge scam by Richard Hackworth. It involved Hackworth selling fake Korea Taekwondo Association Black Belt Certificates. Master Cole e-mailed out a letter from the KTA saying they had not issued Dan certificates since April of 1980, yet there were hundereds of people who came forward with KTA certifcates from Hackworth dated in the 1990's
All these certificates, along with other fakes, like Chung Do Kwan, Hapkido, etc, were scanned and e-mailed or posted on some websites.

One such website is still up to warn people about Richard Hackworth. It has copies of his fakes. Check it out!

http://jlimnet.ntitemp.com/Gallery/FakeCertificate.htm

Bigzilla

**Bigzilla** · Posted On: 1/26/2008 3:16am

Originally Posted by TEA

I don't know and don't care except that it would just outrage me even more if he was a millionaire from ripping people off. However, I think the guy is such a scumbag that if all he could afford was a rental in a trailer park off of his ill gotten gains, I'd still think he was living too well.

Hangin's to good for him!
Burning's too good for him!
He should be torn into itsy bitsy pieces,
And burried Alive!

His millionarie status is as fake as the certificates he sells. He lives in a mobile home park with his wife, Mi Yi Hackworth. His pal, Joseph Connely is also in on his scam.

Bigzilla

**Jeff C.** · Posted On: 1/26/2008 8:47pm

My understanding is that Mr. Connelly was a victim of the scam, not a perpetrator. What is your info?

Jeff Cook

**jdinca** · Posted On: 1/26/2008 10:27pm

Originally Posted by TEA

Hangin's to good for him!
Burning's too good for him!
He should be torn into itsy bitsy pieces,
And burried Alive!

Yeah, but how many people are going to recognize that quote.

**TheSlade** · Posted On: 1/28/2008 12:48pm

This one hits close to home for me. I know a guy that is part of this scam (if he knows it or not). I wont post his name to the public but I will mention where he teaches. And I am now makeing it my personal goal to head there and speak with him about this tonight. He is teaching tae kwon do at a YMCA in Tavaries, FL. And his ranks come from this guy and he sells them to his black belts for $200 testing fee. He justifies this high priced test cause he claims the cert comes from kora and is signed by koreans.

**TheSlade** · Posted On: 1/28/2008 12:52pm

Any advice on what I should ask and how should I structure quick investigation I am going to do?

**Cy Q. Faunce** · Posted On: 1/28/2008 2:17pm

Originally Posted by jdinca

Yeah, but how many people are going to recognize that quote.

That's a Stern admonition.

**TheSlade** · Posted On: 1/28/2008 2:43pm

Originally Posted by Bigzilla

I remember in the late 1990's, Taekwondo Master's Al Cole and Glenn Uesugi uncovered a huge scam by Richard Hackworth. It involved Hackworth selling fake Korea Taekwondo Association Black Belt Certificates. Master Cole e-mailed out a letter from the KTA saying they had not issued Dan certificates since April of 1980, yet there were hundereds of people who came forward with KTA certifcates from Hackworth dated in the 1990's

http://jlimnet.ntitemp.com/Gallery/FakeCertificate.htm

Bigzilla

There a chain of these school pendling fake certifcates in some YMCA's in FL. Do you have access to any of the KTA stuff showing this cause I am going to need it when I drop a bomb on this guy and his scam by showing up to the Y with this info.

**GoldenJonas** · Posted On: 1/28/2008 3:03pm

Slade,

Don't rush it. Gather what you can and learn what you can to refute any lame excuses or strawmen he may put up in front of you.

Further, how do you know this guy? Is he a friend? is he "the guy that took you or your friends money" and you want to get back at him?

The best approach is to be professional and non-accusatory. It is a simple matter of typing his instructors name on Google and you'll get huge red BS flags all over the place. So, being a conscious consumer you checked a bit and wanted to know what he thought of it all.

What is his training?
Years?
Styles?
Instructors?
Does he have any affiliated or satellite schools?

Also, take the class and talk with him after class...unless of course he jumps right into his used car salesman to pressure you into signing up.

Slow, rational and methodical is the way to go if you are going to confront the guy.

Good luck. And if that doesn't work remember the heel hook....after all it IS TKD and you know how they like to throw their legs at you.