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68
After various conversations with Seiler, Fisher, other friends and a thorough investigation of phone and computer records, the police determined that it was all a hoax. The police found inconsistencies in Seiler’s story and determined that there was no abductor. When confronted, Audrey confessed that she “just wanted to be alone,” and indeed was never abducted. The family Minister is quoted: “…at this point, they’re [the family] rallying around her to provide her love and forgiveness and the protection she needs...” 191
Dorothy Zietz determined that “the driving motivations in the average woman’s life tend to be emotional; emotional security tends to be her major aim and highest goal.”192 Possibly seeking security, Seiler apparently devised the entire charade to get more of her boyfriend’s attention. Seiler stated, “I set up everything. I’m just so messed up. I’m sorry.”193 The state charged Seiler with two counts of obstructing officers, including lying to the police. The cost of the search and investigation were over one hundred thousand dollars, a princely sum for any budget conscious municipality.194 Wisconsin state law prohibits government from suing a private citizen to recoup lost costs.195 Audrey later recanted her admission, but too late. If convicted she faced eighteen months in prison and up to a twenty thousand
191 Anon, “Seiler’s Lawyer Meets with MPD, UW Student’s Elaborate Hoax Captures Nation’s Attention,” Channel3000.com, April 6, 2004, http://www.channel3oo.comprint/2970165/detail.html.
192 Dorothy Zietz, in Women Who Embezzle or Defraud, A Story of Convicted Felons, Praeger Special Studies, Praeger Scientific, Praeger Publishing, a Division of CBS, New York, 1981.
193 Anon, “Audrey Seiler Charged over Kidnapping Hoax,” FoxNews.com, April 14, 2004, http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,117088,00.html.
194 Anon, “Seiler’s Lawyer Meets with MPD, UW Student’s Elaborate Hoax Captures Nation’s Attention,” Channel3000.com, April 6, 2004, http://www.channel3oo.comprint/2970165/detail.html.
195 This is discussed in the Policy Recommendations section. All states should mandate restitution of wasted resources, even if it requires legislative change.
Object Description
| Title | An argument for the criminal hoax |
| Author | Pellegrini, Laura A. |
| Author email | user1963@yahoo.com; teachpolsci@yahoo.com |
| Degree | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Document type | Dissertation |
| Degree program | Political Science |
| School | College of Letters, Arts and Sciences |
| Date defended/completed | 2008-08-20 |
| Date submitted | 2008 |
| Restricted until | Unrestricted |
| Date published | 2008-10-13 |
| Advisor (committee chair) | Renteln, Alison Dundes |
| Advisor (committee member) |
Wong, Janelle S. Newland, Chester A. |
| Abstract | Hoaxes are part of the fabric of history. While many provide humor and lighthearted joy, the criminal hoax does not. To date, researchers have included aspects of the criminal hoax in larger academic works. This is an original typology that sets forth the criminal hoax as a distinct part of the larger field of law and public policy. This work provides newly created definitions including four distinct categories of hoaxes: the monetary hoax, the attention getter hoax, the hate crime hoax and the racial hoax. It further illustrates these types with actual detailed accounts of hoaxes and provides insights to each one. It makes policy recommendations concerning the four categories of needs: 1. legislative action, 2. a nationwide statistical database of hoax events, 3. media involvement, and 4. law enforcement training and action to deal with criminal hoaxes. Finally, it recommends further research to identify the causes and motivations of vipers. The ultimate goal of this project is to find ways to eliminate criminal hoaxes. |
| Keyword | criminal hoax; hoax categories |
| Language | English |
| Part of collection | University of Southern California dissertations and theses |
| Publisher (of the original version) | University of Southern California |
| Place of publication (of the original version) | Los Angeles, California |
| Publisher (of the digital version) | University of Southern California. Libraries |
| Provenance | Electronically uploaded by the author |
| Type | texts |
| Legacy record ID | usctheses-m1659 |
| Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
| Rights | Pellegrini, Laura A. |
| Repository name | Libraries, University of Southern California |
| Repository address | Los Angeles, California |
| Repository email | cisadmin@lib.usc.edu |
| Filename | etd-Pellegrini-2397 |
| Archival file | uscthesesreloadpub_Volume26/etd-Pellegrini-2397.pdf |
Description
| Title | Page 74 |
| Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
| Repository email | cisadmin@lib.usc.edu |
| Full text | 68 After various conversations with Seiler, Fisher, other friends and a thorough investigation of phone and computer records, the police determined that it was all a hoax. The police found inconsistencies in Seiler’s story and determined that there was no abductor. When confronted, Audrey confessed that she “just wanted to be alone,” and indeed was never abducted. The family Minister is quoted: “…at this point, they’re [the family] rallying around her to provide her love and forgiveness and the protection she needs...” 191 Dorothy Zietz determined that “the driving motivations in the average woman’s life tend to be emotional; emotional security tends to be her major aim and highest goal.”192 Possibly seeking security, Seiler apparently devised the entire charade to get more of her boyfriend’s attention. Seiler stated, “I set up everything. I’m just so messed up. I’m sorry.”193 The state charged Seiler with two counts of obstructing officers, including lying to the police. The cost of the search and investigation were over one hundred thousand dollars, a princely sum for any budget conscious municipality.194 Wisconsin state law prohibits government from suing a private citizen to recoup lost costs.195 Audrey later recanted her admission, but too late. If convicted she faced eighteen months in prison and up to a twenty thousand 191 Anon, “Seiler’s Lawyer Meets with MPD, UW Student’s Elaborate Hoax Captures Nation’s Attention,” Channel3000.com, April 6, 2004, http://www.channel3oo.comprint/2970165/detail.html. 192 Dorothy Zietz, in Women Who Embezzle or Defraud, A Story of Convicted Felons, Praeger Special Studies, Praeger Scientific, Praeger Publishing, a Division of CBS, New York, 1981. 193 Anon, “Audrey Seiler Charged over Kidnapping Hoax,” FoxNews.com, April 14, 2004, http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,117088,00.html. 194 Anon, “Seiler’s Lawyer Meets with MPD, UW Student’s Elaborate Hoax Captures Nation’s Attention,” Channel3000.com, April 6, 2004, http://www.channel3oo.comprint/2970165/detail.html. 195 This is discussed in the Policy Recommendations section. All states should mandate restitution of wasted resources, even if it requires legislative change. |
