Stephen Gardner Guptill[2] is a former American journalist and elderly advocate who resigned as Massachusetts Secretary of Elder Affairs after less than one week on the job when it was revealed that he falsely claimed to have had graduated from two foreign colleges.
A native of Lynn, Massachusetts, Guptill was the youngest of six children. Guptill's first experience with the elderly came from delivering food from his father's luncheonette to elderly people who lived in the neighborhood.[3]
Guptill dropped out of high school and joined the United States Air Force where he earned his high school equivalency diploma.[1]
Journalism
From 1969 to 1971, Guptill ran a newsletter for senior citizens in Central Massachusetts. From 1971 to 1975 he hosted an elderly affairs show on WSMW-TV.[4]
In 1975, Guptill joined WNAC-TV, where he worked as an elderly affairs reporter and hosted the Sunday morning show The Elder American.[5]
Secretary of Elder Affairs
On December 23, 1978, it was announced that Governor-elect Edward J. King would nominate Guptill for the position of Secretary of Elder Affairs. WNAC-TV and Guptill agreed on a deal that would have him do twelve monthly shows, which the station hoped they could syndicate nationally.[6] On January 10, 1979, less than six days after taking office,[4] he resigned after admitting to falsely claiming two degrees (a bachelor's degree from the University of Heidelberg and a master's degree from Cambridge University) on his resume.[1][7]
Later life
Shortly after his resignation, The Boston Globe reported that Guptill had failed to file a state income tax return for several years and was a defendant in at least seven lawsuits relating to his failure to pay debts.[2]
Despite his dismissal, WNAC-TV chose to honor his contract. However, they decided to film the twelve shows on a weekly basis so his contract would expire sooner. On April 12, 1979, the station fired Guptill.[6]
In 1979, Guptill was accused by WCVB-TV of having violated a federal payola law in 1977 when while guest hosting a WHDH radio show, he urged the elderly to move to the Woodbriar Cape Cod, a housing development that was paying him $250 a week.[8]
On May 16, 1980, Guptill was convicted of failing to file state income tax returns and fined $1,000 and ordered to pay back taxes, interest, and penalties totaling $1,317.[9]
References
^ abc"Stephen Guptill is out, bitter". United Press International. January 12, 1979. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
^ abUPI (January 15, 1979). "Guptill: More Problems". The Telegraph. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
^McMillian, Gary (December 24, 1978). "Secretary for elderly at 34". Boston Globe.
^ abRobinson, Walter (January 14, 1979). "A crisis that might have been averted". Boston Globe.
^Foreman, Judy (July 10, 1978). "Old is beautiful, advocate finds". Boston Globe.
^ abHenry 3rd, William A. (April 13, 1979). "Television & Radio: Guptill fired by Channel 7". The Boston Globe.
^"Appointees Falsify Credentials". Associated Press. January 12, 1979. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
^Henry, William (April 14, 1979). "Ch. 5 makes payola charge". Boston Globe. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
^"Guptill Guilty of Tax Counts". Boston Globe. May 17, 1980.
August 23, 2023
stephen, guptill, stephen, gardner, guptill, former, american, journalist, elderly, advocate, resigned, massachusetts, secretary, elder, affairs, after, less, than, week, when, revealed, that, falsely, claimed, have, graduated, from, foreign, colleges, massach. Stephen Gardner Guptill 2 is a former American journalist and elderly advocate who resigned as Massachusetts Secretary of Elder Affairs after less than one week on the job when it was revealed that he falsely claimed to have had graduated from two foreign colleges Stephen GuptillMassachusetts Secretary of Elder AffairsIn office January 4 1979 January 10 1979Preceded byJames H CallahanSucceeded byThomas H D MahoneyPersonal detailsBorn1944 or 1945 age 78 79 1 OccupationJournalistElderly Advocate Contents 1 Early life 2 Journalism 3 Secretary of Elder Affairs 4 Later life 5 ReferencesEarly life EditA native of Lynn Massachusetts Guptill was the youngest of six children Guptill s first experience with the elderly came from delivering food from his father s luncheonette to elderly people who lived in the neighborhood 3 Guptill dropped out of high school and joined the United States Air Force where he earned his high school equivalency diploma 1 Journalism EditFrom 1969 to 1971 Guptill ran a newsletter for senior citizens in Central Massachusetts From 1971 to 1975 he hosted an elderly affairs show on WSMW TV 4 In 1975 Guptill joined WNAC TV where he worked as an elderly affairs reporter and hosted the Sunday morning show The Elder American 5 Secretary of Elder Affairs EditOn December 23 1978 it was announced that Governor elect Edward J King would nominate Guptill for the position of Secretary of Elder Affairs WNAC TV and Guptill agreed on a deal that would have him do twelve monthly shows which the station hoped they could syndicate nationally 6 On January 10 1979 less than six days after taking office 4 he resigned after admitting to falsely claiming two degrees a bachelor s degree from the University of Heidelberg and a master s degree from Cambridge University on his resume 1 7 Later life EditShortly after his resignation The Boston Globe reported that Guptill had failed to file a state income tax return for several years and was a defendant in at least seven lawsuits relating to his failure to pay debts 2 Despite his dismissal WNAC TV chose to honor his contract However they decided to film the twelve shows on a weekly basis so his contract would expire sooner On April 12 1979 the station fired Guptill 6 In 1979 Guptill was accused by WCVB TV of having violated a federal payola law in 1977 when while guest hosting a WHDH radio show he urged the elderly to move to the Woodbriar Cape Cod a housing development that was paying him 250 a week 8 On May 16 1980 Guptill was convicted of failing to file state income tax returns and fined 1 000 and ordered to pay back taxes interest and penalties totaling 1 317 9 References Edit a b c Stephen Guptill is out bitter United Press International January 12 1979 Retrieved 11 August 2011 a b UPI January 15 1979 Guptill More Problems The Telegraph Retrieved October 21 2012 McMillian Gary December 24 1978 Secretary for elderly at 34 Boston Globe a b Robinson Walter January 14 1979 A crisis that might have been averted Boston Globe Foreman Judy July 10 1978 Old is beautiful advocate finds Boston Globe a b Henry 3rd William A April 13 1979 Television amp Radio Guptill fired by Channel 7 The Boston Globe Appointees Falsify Credentials Associated Press January 12 1979 Retrieved 11 August 2011 Henry William April 14 1979 Ch 5 makes payola charge Boston Globe Retrieved 11 August 2011 Guptill Guilty of Tax Counts Boston Globe May 17 1980 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Stephen Guptill amp oldid 1163588403, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
