Rochester Police "Angered and Insulted" Over George Farah Portraying Himself as a Policeman..Updated

**huge285** · 08-05-2010, 05:26 PM

I-Team 10 investigation: Flexing the facts

Posted at: 08/05/2010 4:56 PM
By: Brett Davidsen | WHEC.com

A video testimonial by a Rochester bodybuilder comes under fire by the city police officers' union. They call the bodybuilder a fraud.

The locust club which represents the Rochester Police Department is now demanding an apology from local bodybuilder George Farah. They say Farah made a video falsely claiming to be a police officer injured in the line duty.

It was a promotional internet video for a supplement company part of a group of testimonials on true strength. But Farah has taken an incident that occurred in 1997, twisted the facts or created his own and tried to sell himself as a former rookie cop hurt while responding to a bank robbery.
George Farah of Webster has had a successful career as a bodybuilder, placing in many national competitions over the past decade. But it's his claims of an earlier career that have caught the attention of the union representing the Rochester Police Department.

Rochester Police Locust Club President Mike Mazzeo said, “We're angered and insulted that this individual's fraudulent account.”
He's talking about this internet video which, until recently, could be seen on the website of Optimum Nutrition -- a vitamin and supplement company Farah is affiliated with.

In it, Farah offers this testimonial. "I got a job in the police department. And, uh, basically, I was there...a rookie...brand new. I wasn't even working. I got a call and I heard that one of the banks was getting robbed and it happens that I was in the area. So I stopped by to help and somehow, I really don't like to talk about it too much because it hinds of brings back really bad memories, but to make the story short. I got shot three times."

A compelling story, but it isn't exactly true.
Farah was the victim of a serious shooting back in august of 1997 on Ringle Street near Chili Avenue along with another man but there was no bank robbery and the union says Farah has never been a police officer.
Mazzeo said, “We're further outraged that he used this phony story to portray himself as a hero who has overcome adversity to be a role model for others."

Today the locust club brought in three Rochester Police officers who are still recovering after having been shot while on duty -- Anthony DiPonzio, Daniel Brochu and Luca Martini.

Officer Daniel Brochu said, “For me, quite frankly, I feel insulted. I'm totally offended.”

Farah's own website only claims he was shot in a robbery attempt.
I-Team 10 went to his house Thursday morning but a nanny there said he was at work and referred us to his attorney, who declined comment until he's spoken to his client.

In the meantime, the district attorney's office says the video doesn't provide enough proof that Farah has committed any crimes by telling his tale but is seeking more information about the bodybuilder.
First Assistant District Attorney Sandra Doorley said, “What I want to do as a representative of the district attorney's office is to implore the community, if you've been defrauded by Mr. Farah or been victimized by him in any way, to either contact your local law enforcement, Rochester Police Department, or the district attorney's office and we will thoroughly investigate any allegations."

The police union is asking for an apology from Farah directly and they're demanding that Optimum Nutrition sever ties with him.
The supplement company has removed the video testimonial from its website.

As for the company standing behind Farah, as of now it appears they are to some degree. His likeness still shows up on their website. However, in an e-mail to the police union, a manager for Optimum Nutrition says they are sorry they posted the fabrication, that they took Farah at his word and they will be taking some action against him. It is unknown what that action will be.

Click here to watch the promotional video (Courtesy Optimumnutrition.com)

**John Romano** · 08-05-2010, 05:37 PM

LOL.... "pure gold!!!"

**Growin24/7** · 08-05-2010, 05:39 PM

i just read another story about this online...what a total fool, who the fuck lies about something like this? what an idiot

**flash1982** · 08-05-2010, 05:40 PM

hmm strange story..

there must be some newspaper or internet article somewhere...

edit:

News 8 did speak with George Farah's attorney. He denies the allegations, and tells me that Farah did have a pending application with the RPD, and had taken the test a number of times, but admits he was not employed by themNews 8 did speak with George Farah's attorney. He denies the allegations, and tells me that Farah did have a pending application with the RPD, and had taken the test a number of times, but admits he was not employed by them

**Growin24/7** · 08-05-2010, 05:41 PM

yeah george can make him claims about being a guru and this and that but atleast romano is not going around telling ppl he is a cop and was shot on duty...

http://rochesterhomepage.net/fulltext?nxd_id=197135
read that if you want a good laugh

**NPCKnight** · 08-05-2010, 05:41 PM

Wow. What a load of bullshit coming from him... Poser.

**Goodfellas** · 08-05-2010, 05:43 PM

Rochester sucks.

**flash1982** · 08-05-2010, 05:47 PM

Police said Farah was in fact shot in 1997, but police said it was an assault shooting on Ringle Street on Rochester's west side. Police noted that he was uncooperative in the investigation.

**Joe Christiano** · 08-05-2010, 05:47 PM

Hey do I get repped for this or what? Lmao

**MattyH7688** · 08-05-2010, 05:51 PM

meh who cares.. still is one of the best in the business

**thachozenonebx** · 08-05-2010, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by Growin24/7

yeah george can make him claims about being a guru and this and that but atleast romano is not going around telling ppl he is a cop and was shot on duty...

http://rochesterhomepage.net/fulltext?nxd_id=197135
read that if you want a good laugh

are we furthering this romano Vs farah stuff?

**GENESIS** · 08-05-2010, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by thachozenonebx

are we furthering this romano Vs farah stuff?

This sounds more like Rochester V Farah. Where is Romano even mentioned?

**GDavis** · 08-05-2010, 05:55 PM

This is really so much worse than anything anybody has claimed before regarding George's integrity. This kind of a story makes the DNP claims and self promoting look down right righteous. I think George missed his calling... he should be a politician. He would be great on the rubber chicken circuit.

**fireman+scott** · 08-05-2010, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by flash1982

hmm strange story..

there must be some newspaper or internet article somewhere...

edit:

Seems i remember that story in muscle&fitness or one of the mags, because it talked about how tuff and bulletproof he was after being shot in the chest in the line of duty, and now he was pursuing bodybuilding since he retired from the force.That's BS, cause all these years i thought he was a cop.