Mayor of Agde Arrested for Corruption Scheme Involving Clairvoyant

Image: (Gilles d'Ettore, Mayor of Agde - Twitter)

By Jon Donnis

The idyllic town of Agde, nestled in the picturesque southern region of France, has found itself embroiled in a scandal that sounds straight out of a mystery novel. Gilles d'Ettore, the mayor of Agde, was arrested and accused of corruption after falling prey to a bizarre scheme orchestrated by a local self-proclaimed clairvoyant.

The shocking revelation came to light when authorities uncovered a web of deceit spun by a 44-year-old woman who purported to possess supernatural abilities. Describing herself as a clairvoyant, medium, and healer, she allegedly manipulated her voice to mimic that of a "supernatural force" during phone calls to Mayor d'Ettore and several other prominent individuals in the community.

According to reports from the Béziers prosecutor's office, Mayor d'Ettore, along with some of his family members and close friends, received calls from the woman, during which she used a masculine-sounding, calm, and husky voice to create an illusion of communicating with a supernatural entity. This ruse led Mayor d'Ettore to believe in her purported abilities, ultimately resulting in him granting her numerous favours.

One of the favours included hiring five members of the woman's family and close acquaintances to work for him, with her husband securing a position as the technical service director at the Agde mairie (city hall of Agde). The mayor's trust in the clairvoyant was so profound that he considered her to be like a daughter until evidence shattered the illusion.

The unraveling of the scheme began when investigators presented Mayor d'Ettore with a video demonstrating the woman's voice manipulation tactics. It was at this moment that the mayor realized he had fallen victim to a well-orchestrated scam. Despite acknowledging his gullibility, Mayor d'Ettore has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

The fallout from this scandal has not been limited to Mayor d'Ettore alone. The clairvoyant, along with her husband, who holds a significant position within the Agde mairie, have also been implicated in the corruption probe. Both individuals have been detained and questioned, facing allegations of deliberate deception and corruption.

The investigation into this intricate web of deceit began in October 2023 and has since escalated, with the Béziers public prosecutor's office initiating criminal proceedings against multiple parties. As the investigation continues to unfold, the scandal has cast a shadow over the tranquil town of Agde, leaving its residents bewildered by the extraordinary turn of events.

Self Proclaimed "Ex-CIA" Psychic Major Ed Dames Claims on Missing Toddler's Discovery Challenged

Image: (Major Ed Dames - Amazon)

By Jon Donnis

In a case that has gripped France, the discovery of the remains of missing toddler Emile Soleil has taken a perplexing turn, with doubts now cast upon the claims made by Major Ed Dames, a former CIA psychic. Emile Soleil, a two-year-old who vanished without a trace from the French Alpine hamlet of Le Vernet last July, saw an unexpected breakthrough this Easter weekend when his remains were unearthed in a field, reigniting speculation and prompting a reexamination of the investigation.

French toddler Emile Soleil

Major Ed Dames, 74, emerged into the spotlight after asserting that he identified the location where Emile Soleil's body was found using a clairvoyant technique known as "remote viewing." Dames, who claims he was part of a clandestine US espionage project that later inspired the movie "The Men Who Stare At Goats," claims to have honed his psychic detective skills during his tenure with the joint CIA and Army Psychic Intelligence Unit.

Often when there is a missing child, psychics will come forward and make various claims, often without real evidence, usually as a way to gain attention for themselves.

Make sure to read Flim-Flam!: Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions by James Randi - https://amzn.to/3U0VdAz as a way to educate yourself on all such maters.

According to reports, Dames sent emails to local authorities in December pinpointing the area where he believed the toddler's remains would be found. However, questions have emerged regarding the reliability and veracity of his claims, particularly in light of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of Emile's remains.

The revelation that Emile's bones were found in a field that had previously been searched by law enforcement shortly after his disappearance raises suspicions about the timing and manner of their placement. Mayor François Balique of Le Vernet speculated that the remains may have been moved back to the site, a theory supported by sources close to the investigation.

The discovery of only a single part of the body, the skull, further complicates the matter and raises doubts about the possibility of natural causes such as animal interference. While drones and sniffer dogs scour the countryside for additional evidence, investigators are faced with the daunting task of unraveling the mystery surrounding Emile Soleil's disappearance and death.

Despite the claims made by Major Ed Dames, skepticism persists regarding the efficacy of remote viewing and psychic abilities in solving criminal cases. The history of "remote viewing" traces back to various government initiatives, including the CIA's Stargate Project, which aimed to investigate the potential applications of extrasensory perception for intelligence gathering.

However, critics argue that the scientific basis for remote viewing remains dubious at best, with many attributing perceived successes to chance or selective interpretation of data. Rational explanations, such as cognitive biases and subconscious cues, offer alternative perspectives on seemingly inexplicable phenomena attributed to psychic abilities.

As the investigation into Emile Soleil's tragic fate continues, the role of psychic detectives like Major Ed Dames raises important questions about the intersection of belief, science, and justice. While some may find solace in unconventional methods, others emphasize the importance of evidence-based approaches in solving complex criminal cases. In the pursuit of truth and justice, discerning fact from fiction remains paramount.

Exposing the "Seatbelt Psychic": The Unveiling of Thomas John in Operation Pizza Roll

Image: (Susan Gerbic, Thomas John, Mark Edward, - skepticalinquirer.org)

By Jon Donnis

Time to revisit "Operation Pizza Roll" 7 years after the event. 17 Minute documentary at the bottom of the article if you want to scroll down to watch.

In the world of psychic phenomena, Thomas John gained notoriety as the "Seatbelt Psychic" for his purported ability to communicate with the deceased and offer insights into the future. However, his rise to fame was met with skepticism from some corners, leading to an intricate investigation by skeptics Susan Gerbic and Mark Edward. Their meticulous efforts, dubbed "Operation Pizza Roll," ultimately uncovered evidence suggesting that Thomas John's abilities were not as supernatural as he claimed.

The Rise of Thomas John:

Thomas John, born Thomas John Flanagan, gained prominence in the psychic community for his alleged gift of mediumship. He claimed to have the ability to connect with spirits of the deceased and deliver messages from the afterlife to his clients. His charisma and purported accuracy in readings garnered him a substantial following, with appearances on television shows and high-profile events enhancing his reputation as a psychic medium.

Operation Pizza Roll:

Skeptical of Thomas John's claims, Susan Gerbic and Mark Edward initiated Operation Pizza Roll in an attempt to scrutinize the authenticity of his psychic abilities. The operation, named humorously after Gerbic's fondness for pizza rolls, aimed to conduct undercover investigations into various mediums and psychics to uncover any fraudulent practices.

"Gerbic and Edward attended John's show using aliases, and John "read" them as a married couple. During the entire reading, John failed to determine the actual identities of Gerbic and Edward, or that they were deceptive during his reading. All personal information he gave them matched what was on their falsified Facebook accounts, rather than being about their actual lives." - Wikipedia Thomas John

Unveiling the Deception:

Gerbic and Edward employed a multi-faceted approach to expose Thomas John's alleged fraudulence. They utilized a combination of online research, undercover investigations, and critical analysis of his performances to reveal inconsistencies and potential methods of deception.

Online Research: Gerbic and Edward delved into Thomas John's background, examining his public statements, media appearances, and testimonials from clients. They sought to identify patterns or discrepancies in his claims that could indicate deception or manipulation.

Undercover Investigations: As part of Operation Pizza Roll, Gerbic and Edward attended Thomas John's live performances and private readings incognito. They observed his techniques, interactions with clients, and the accuracy of his readings to assess the validity of his psychic abilities firsthand.

Critical Analysis: Gerbic and Edward applied their expertise in skepticism and deception detection to analyze Thomas John's methods. They scrutinized his use of cold reading techniques, vague statements, and psychological manipulation tactics to uncover potential strategies for simulating psychic phenomena.

Exposing the Truth:

Through their exhaustive investigation, Gerbic and Edward amassed compelling evidence suggesting that Thomas John's claims of psychic ability were fraudulent. They documented instances of cold reading, vague statements, and reliance on cues from clients to construct seemingly accurate readings. Additionally, they uncovered inconsistencies in Thomas John's public statements and testimonials, casting doubt on the authenticity of his purported abilities.

Impact and Legacy:

The revelation of Thomas John's alleged fraudulence in Operation Pizza Roll sparked widespread discussion and debate within the psychic community and among the general public. It served as a reminder of the importance of skepticism and critical thinking when evaluating extraordinary claims, particularly in the realm of psychic phenomena.

While Thomas John's reputation may have been tarnished by the exposure, Operation Pizza Roll highlighted the significance of rigorous investigation and scrutiny in uncovering deception and promoting a greater understanding of the limitations of purported psychic abilities.

Documentary:

Footnotes and Further Reading:

Gerbic, Susan, and Mark Edward. "Operation Pizza Roll: Exposing Thomas John, the Seatbelt Psychic." Skeptical Inquirer, vol. 42, no. 4, 2018, pp. 28-33. - https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/operation-pizza-roll-thomas-john/

Hyman, Ray. "Cold Reading: How to Convince Strangers That You Know All About Them." The Skeptical Inquirer, vol. 26, no. 2, 2002, pp. 42-46.

Wilson, Ian. "The Psychology of Spiritualism: Science and Seances." The Skeptic, vol. 21, no. 3, 2018, pp. 22-27.

Inside the Secret Sting Operations to Expose Celebrity Psychics.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/magazine/psychics-skeptics-facebook.html

Viktiga element för framgångsrik webbutveckling: Från planering till lansering

Att skapa en framgångsrik webbplats kräver en genomtänkt och strukturerad process, från de initiala planeringsstegen till den slutliga lanseringen och därefter. Genom att följa några nyckelelement i webbutvecklingsprocessen kan du säkerställa att din webbplats inte bara ser bra ut utan också fungerar effektivt för att uppnå dina affärsmål.

Planering och kravspecifikation: Den första och viktigaste steget i webbutvecklingsprocessen är att tydligt definiera dina mål och behov. Detta inkluderar att fastställa målgruppen för din webbplats, identifiera vilka funktioner och funktionalitet som behövs, samt skapa en tydlig kravspecifikation för att styra utvecklingen.

Design och användarupplevelse: En viktig del av webbutvecklingen är att skapa en attraktiv och användarvänlig design. Detta innefattar att välja rätt färgschema, typsnitt och layout som passar din målgrupp och varumärkesidentitet. På polarcomfort.se kan du också hitta vinbord för att komplettera din inomhusmiljö och skapa en enhetlig estetik.

Utveckling och kodning: När designen är fastställd går utvecklingen av webbplatsen igång. Detta innefattar att skriva koden som driver webbplatsen och implementera de önskade funktionerna och funktionaliteterna. En välstrukturerad och lättläst kod är avgörande för att säkerställa att webbplatsen är stabil och presterar bra på olika enheter och webbläsare.

Testning och kvalitetssäkring: Innan lanseringen är det viktigt att noggrant testa webbplatsen för att upptäcka och åtgärda eventuella buggar eller fel. Detta inkluderar att testa webbplatsens funktionalitet, responsivitet och användarupplevelse på olika enheter och plattformar för att säkerställa en konsekvent och tillfredsställande upplevelse för alla användare.

Lansering och marknadsföring: Slutligen är det dags att lansera din webbplats för allmänheten. Detta innefattar att överföra webbplatsen till den valda värdplattformen och göra den tillgänglig för besökare. Efter lanseringen är det viktigt att marknadsföra din webbplats för att öka medvetenheten och locka trafik. På polarcomfort.se hittar du också ett brett utbud av mustang grill för att förbättra din utomhusmatlagningsupplevelse.

Slutsats: Att skapa och lansera en framgångsrik webbplats kräver noggrann planering, design, utveckling och testning. Genom att följa de nyckelelement som nämns ovan kan du säkerställa att din webbplats inte bara uppfyller dina affärsmål utan också ger en engagerande och användarvänlig upplevelse för dina besökare. Besök polarcomfort.se idag för att utforska vårt sortiment av vinbord och andra produkter för att komplettera din inomhus- och utomhusmiljö. Klicka här för att bläddra i vår produktkatalog och hitta de bästa tillbehören för dig!

Exposing the Truth: A Skeptical Biography of Spiritualist Medium Helen Duncan

Image: (Wikipedia)

By Jon Donnis

Helen Duncan, a controversial figure in the world of spiritualism, gained notoriety for her claims of communicating with the dead during séances. Born in 1897 in Scotland, Duncan rose to prominence in the mid-20th century as a purported medium, attracting believers and skeptics alike with her supposed ability to summon spirits from the beyond.

Duncan's séances often involved theatrical performances, complete with eerie voices, floating objects, and other supernatural phenomena. Her ability to provide personal information about deceased loved ones convinced many of her authenticity, leading to a devoted following among those seeking solace and closure.

However, skepticism surrounding Duncan's activities soon emerged. Critics accused her of employing simple tricks and deception to dupe her gullible audience. Despite numerous attempts to debunk her claims, Duncan continued to hold séances, exploiting the grief of vulnerable individuals for personal gain.

The turning point came in 1944 when Duncan was arrested during a séance in Portsmouth, England. Authorities charged her with violating the archaic Witchcraft Act of 1735, which prohibited fraudulent spiritual practices. During the trial, evidence surfaced suggesting that Duncan's séances were nothing more than elaborate hoaxes designed to exploit the bereaved.

Image: (The Mirror Archive)

In a damning blow to her credibility, Duncan was exposed as a fraud when investigators discovered that she used a hidden cheesecloth to produce ectoplasm, a substance supposedly emanating from spirits. The revelation shattered the illusion of her supernatural abilities, leading to her conviction and imprisonment.

Despite her conviction, Duncan's supporters rallied behind her, launching a campaign to overturn the verdict and clear her name. They argued that she was unfairly persecuted for her beliefs and that the evidence against her was circumstantial. However, their efforts ultimately proved futile, and Duncan remained a convicted fraudster until her death in 1956.

In the annals of spiritualism, Helen Duncan remains a cautionary tale of the dangers of blind faith and the exploitation of the vulnerable. Her fall from grace serves as a reminder to approach claims of the supernatural with skepticism and scrutiny, lest we fall prey to charlatans seeking to profit from our deepest fears and desires.

Image: (Mary Evans Picture Library)