Schools
Ex-Athletic Director Lied On Résumé Before AI Arrest In Baltimore County: Report
An ex-athletic director arrested in an artificial intelligence scandal lied on his résumé to get his Baltimore County job, a report said.
PIKESVILLE, MD — The former athletic director wrapped up in a racist artificial intelligence scandal lied on his résumé to get his Baltimore County school job, The Baltimore Banner first reported last Thursday.
The Banner said it "found at least 29 false claims on four job applications using two different names" for Dazhon Darien of Pikesville High School.
"He didn't get degrees he claims to hold," The Banner wrote. "He never worked for a Division I college football team. He didn't have a teaching license or meet the minimum qualifications for his job."
Find out what's happening in Towsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Darien is accused of using artificial intelligence to create a fake recording of Pikesville High School Principal Eric Eiswert. The false voice recording seemed to capture Eiswert making racist and antisemitic comments, but authorities said the audio file was entirely fabricated and made by a computer. Eiswert did not make those comments.
The Baltimore County Police Department said it launched its investigation on Jan. 17 and arrested Darien on April 25.
Find out what's happening in Towsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Officers think Darien made the fake recording to retaliate against Eiswert, who at the time was pursuing an investigation into the potential mishandling of school funds.
Authorities said Darien was charged with stalking, theft, disruption of school operations and retaliation against a witness.
Related: Ex-Athletic Director Used AI To Frame Pikesville Principal: Reports
The Banner's news partner, WJZ, contacted Darien's defense attorney for a comment.
"Mr. Darien states that the information regarding alleged false statement of qualifications is inaccurate and incomplete," the lawyer told WJZ in a statement. "He will respond to the AI allegations in the appropriate forum."
Baltimore County Public Schools told The Banner it followed all hiring protocols. BCPS told both The Banner and WJZ that Darien is on administrative leave, but school officials declined to comment further to both outlets.
To learn more about the allegations of false qualifications, read The Banner's full story.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
