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Nov 18, 2008 8:19 pm US/Pacific
UCD Files Report Against Self-Defense Instructor
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Students became even more suspicious after his hands-on demonstration became a little more personal than they expected.
CBS
Police say a man posed as a self-defense instructor to scare hundreds of college students into buying his products.
Hundreds of sorority members at UC Davis showed up to a self-defense seminar by a man calling himself David Portnoy, who some attendees are now calling a con artist.
"He said he was a third degree black belt, he didn't really have that appearance," said Julie Quintanilla. "He was really overweight."
Students became even more suspicious after his hands-on demonstration. He grabbed a girl from behind, said sorority member Megan Mills, and locked his arms around her upper body.
To counter the hold, "he taught to pinch the groin," Megan said, which brought the volunteer's hand back to his own groin.
Officials say David Portnoy said he was with the Women's Safety Education Group, but the group's website contains a warning saying Portnoy is not affiliated with that organization.
"He claims to be this great guy who wants to make a difference in women's lives," Megan said, "but it's fraud."
Portnoy allegedly offered his services for free to a group of 10 sororities. But there was a catch: a campus official says he was pushing his pepper spray.
"You could buy it for 7 or 8 dollars, and he was selling it for 18, 20 bucks," said assistant director Paul Cody.
Cody says Portnoy scared young women into buying it by using exaggerated rape statistics and disturbing stories.
Campus officials have filed a police report against Portnoy.
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