Like It’s Hot

Hugh Jackman plays the New York superintendent who ran one of the biggest scams in the history of US public schooling in 2019’s “Bad Education.” Real-life Frank Tassone of Roslyn school district was busted in 2004 for stealing millions from the school, alongside his CFO, Pam Gluckin. We tell the real story, complete with 100% of your USDA daily recommended servings of gossip and drama, like only a high school can deliver. FURTHER READING On Top of the News at Roslyn High (Published 2004) [https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/27/nyregion/on-top-of-the-news-at-roslyn-high.html] The Bad Superintendent [https://nymag.com/nymetro/urban/features/9908/] Bad Education accuracy: Fact vs. fiction in HBO's new movie about the Roslyn schools scandal. [https://slate.com/culture/2020/04/bad-education-accuracy-fact-fiction-hbo-movie-roslyn.html] Auditor Admits He Falsified Roslyn Records [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/15/nyregion/auditor-admits-he-falsified-roslyn-records.html] A Suspicious Clerk and a School Scandal [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/06/nyregion/a-suspicious-clerk-and-a-school-scandal.html] Roslyn Audit | Internal Control | Board Of Directors [https://www.scribd.com/document/52495747/Roslyn-Audit] Bad Education HBO True Story [https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/amp32268352/bad-education-hbo-true-story-frank-tassone-now/] Convicted Ex-School Official Still Gets State Pension [https://gothamist.com/news/convicted-ex-school-official-still-gets-state-pension] The Unbelievable New York School Scandal That Inspired Hugh Jackman’s New Movie [https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/09/hugh-jackman-movie-bad-education-scandal] High Schools Mandating Community Service for Graduation [https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/01/nyregion/high-schools-mandating-community-service-for-graduation.html?searchResultPosition=92] Teachers Are Underpaid And Underappreciated [https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/17/nyregion/l-teachers-are-underpaid-and-underappreciated-971847.html] 7 North Shore schools top US News state rankings [https://theislandnow.com/news-98/7-north-shore-schools-top-u-s-news-state-rankings/] Mineola: School Clerk Sentenced [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/nyregion/27mbrfs-008.html?searchResultPosition=1] Missing Documents Hamper Roslyn Schools Investigation [https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/18/nyregion/missing-documents-hamper-roslyn-schools-investigation.html?searchResultPosition=7] In Free-Spending Roslyn Schools, Missing Money Isn't Easy to Find (Published 2004) [https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/27/nyregion/in-free-spending-roslyn-schools-missing-money-isn-t-easy-to-find.html?searchResultPosition=91] Probation for Embezzler's Son in Theft From Roslyn Schools (Published 2006) [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/22/nyregion/22rosyln.html] Convicted Ex-School Official Still Gets State Pension [https://gothamist.com/news/convicted-ex-school-official-still-gets-state-pension] Dr. Tassone: For the Record (5 Letters) [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/16/opinion/nyregionopinions/dr-tassone-for-the-record-5-letters.html?searchResultPosition=7] Should School Boards be Expelled? [https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-should-school-boards-be-expelled.html] Bad Education: Why Shocking Public School Corruption Remains Hidden [https://www.heritage.org/education/commentary/bad-education-why-shocking-public-school-corruption-remains-hidden] School Board Corruption Scandal Rocks New York [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-11-30-mn-643-story.html] 'Will this ever stop?' New Orleans school corruption charge distresses readers [https://www.nola.com/news/education/article_88121342-5381-57d3-a8d6-3d8a13c0d288.html] School board leader sentenced in corruption scheme | USAO-SDTX [https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/school-board-leader-sentenced-corruption-scheme] SC school district falsified records | An Uncovered: SC corruption investigation [https://www.postandcourier.com/uncovered/sc-school-district-bought-spy-cameras-and-falsified-records-its-leader-kept-her-job/article_2429f462-9222-11eb-a2df-1351ac5a6545.html] The Real Story About Highland Park Schools – Michigan Capitol Confidential [https://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/21409] Roslyn, Long Island, NY: The Enron of Education Fraud and Corruption. [http://parentadvocates.org/nicecontent/dsp_printable.cfm?articleID=3546] 'Bad Education' writer, a Roslyn HS grad, talks about the true-crime film [https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/bad-education-roslyn-schools-hugh-jackman-1.43905887] Bad Education: Why Shocking Public School Corruption Remains Hidden [https://www.heritage.org/education/commentary/bad-education-why-shocking-public-school-corruption-remains-hidden]

In Part 3 of the story of Sir Alfred Mehran, we finally attempt to answer the key question: Why did a man spend 18 years at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris? The answer takes us to the dawn of the Century of Oil, to an underground prison controlled by the Iranian secret police, and back again. FURTHER READING * Short documentary - “Sir Alfred of Charles de Gaulle [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngNP8ZNutNY]” * Interview with Sir Alfred [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efrGE7HQcK0], AP * “Here to Where [https://vimeo.com/84123555],” feature mockumentary starring Sir Alfred * “The Terminal Man [https://www.amazon.com/Terminal-Man-Alfred-Merhan/dp/0552152749],” the most comprehensive source (by far) on Sir Alfred’s story, much of it firsthand, and the only book written about him as far as I know. It’s hard to find. I had to buy my battered, dogeared copy for $57 on Ebay. * “The Man Who Lost His Past [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/sep/06/features.features11]” - Paul Berczeller, The Guardian (written by the filmmaker behind “Here to Where,” which is linked above) * “The 15-Year Layover [https://www.gq.com/story/merhan-nasseri-charles-de-gaulle-stuck]” - Michael Paterniti, GQ

In Part 2 of the story of Sir Alfred Mehran, we probe deeper into WHY a man came to live at Charles de Gaulle airport for 18 years, and explore his strange relationship with a young filmmaker, who claims he wants to help. FURTHER READING * Short documentary - “Sir Alfred of Charles de Gaulle [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngNP8ZNutNY]” * Interview with Sir Alfred [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efrGE7HQcK0], AP * “Here to Where [https://vimeo.com/84123555],” feature mockumentary starring Sir Alfred * “The Terminal Man [https://www.amazon.com/Terminal-Man-Alfred-Merhan/dp/0552152749],” the most comprehensive source (by far) on Sir Alfred’s story, much of it firsthand, and the only book written about him as far as I know. It’s hard to find. I had to buy my battered, dogeared copy for $57 on Ebay. * “The Man Who Lost His Past [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/sep/06/features.features11]” - Paul Berczeller, The Guardian (written by the filmmaker behind “Here to Where,” which is linked above) * “The 15-Year Layover [https://www.gq.com/story/merhan-nasseri-charles-de-gaulle-stuck]” - Michael Paterniti, GQ

In “The Terminal,” Tom Hanks spends nine months stranded at JFK Airport in New York. The story is based on the life of Sir Alfred Mehran, an Iranian refugee who was stranded at Charles de Gaulle in Paris. Unlike Hanks’ character, Sir Alfred didn’t spend nine months living in an airport terminal. Sir Alfred lived at Charles de Gaulle for eighteen years, from 1988 until 2006. To find out why, we’ll have to dive into the deepest rabbithole we’ve ventured down yet (by far). FURTHER READING * Short documentary - “Sir Alfred of Charles de Gaulle [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngNP8ZNutNY]” * Interview with Sir Alfred [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efrGE7HQcK0], AP * “Here to Where [https://vimeo.com/84123555],” feature mockumentary starring Sir Alfred * “The Terminal Man [https://www.amazon.com/Terminal-Man-Alfred-Merhan/dp/0552152749],” the most comprehensive source (by far) on Sir Alfred’s story, much of it firsthand, and the only book written about him as far as I know. It’s hard to find. I had to buy my battered, dogeared copy for $57 on Ebay. * “The Man Who Lost His Past [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/sep/06/features.features11]” - Paul Berczeller, The Guardian (written by the filmmaker behind “Here to Where,” which is linked above) * “The 15-Year Layover [https://www.gq.com/story/merhan-nasseri-charles-de-gaulle-stuck]” - Michael Paterniti, GQ

In Hustlers, Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu lure wealthy Wall Streeters into the private rooms at a Manhattan strip club, drug them, ring up six-figure charges on their credit cards, and leave them to wake up the next morning wondering what happened. We tell the real story. FURTHER READING * “The Sophisticated Hustler [https://roselynkeo.com/products/roselyn-keo-the-sophisticated-hustler]” - Roselyn Keo * “The True Story Behind the Movie Hustlers [https://time.com/5671735/hustlers-movie-true-story/]” - Rachel E Greenspan * “J.Lo’s real life ‘Hustlers’ character, Samantha Barbas, tells all [https://pagesix.com/2019/09/02/j-los-real-life-hustlers-character-samantha-barbash-tells-all/]” - Emily Smith * “Cardiologist victim behind Jennifer Lopez’s ‘Hustlers’ breaks silence [https://nypost.com/2019/09/13/cardiologist-victim-behind-jennifer-lopezs-hustlers-breaks-silence/]” - Laura Italiano * Interview with Dr. Zyad Younan: ABC [https://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/doctor-swindled-100000-dates-woman-part-65605764] * “The Hustlers at Scores [https://www.thecut.com/2015/12/hustlers-the-real-story-behind-the-movie.html]” - Jessica Pressler * “17 Facts About Sexual Violence and Sex Work [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/16-facts-about-sexual-ass_b_8711720]” - Katherine Koster * “Sex Work is Real Work, and It’s Time to Treat it That Way [https://www.aclu.org/news/lgbtq-rights/sex-work-is-real-work-and-its-time-to-treat-it-that-way/]” - Layla B Houston- Zannell * “Why Sex Work Should Be Decriminalized [https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/08/07/why-sex-work-should-be-decriminalized#]” - Human Rights Watch * “The Movement to Decriminalize Sex Work, Explained [https://www.vox.com/2019/8/2/20692327/sex-work-decriminalization-prostitution-new-york-dc]” - Anna North * “Amsterdam Prostitution Menu: Prices & Services [https://www.amsterdamredlightdistricttour.com/news/amsterdam-prostitution-menu/]” * “What It’s Really Like to Be an Amsterdam Prostitute [https://www.vice.com/en/article/xd5w5n/what-its-really-like-to-be-an-amsterdam-prostitute]” - Alex Pichaloff * “What’s it Really Like to Have Sex with an Amsterdam Prostitue? [https://www.vice.com/en/article/dp3ewy/amsterdam-prostitute-diary]” - Daniel Dylan Wray