Sean replied angrily that he did have a degree from U.S.C., and a copy of a U.S.C. diploma bearing his name was flashed on the screen. Sean said nothing about the Doctor of Divinity degree.
After the show, Morton wrote an angry letter to Estes, c/o the Montel Williams producer, Alex Williamson.
Mr. Russ Estes
c/o Alex Williams [sic]
The Montel Williams Show
1500 Broadway Suite 700
New York, New York, 10036Dear Russ:
I am going to assume that you are not a bold faced liar who is out for some kind of warped revenge, or a person who is just trying to make a buck off baseless slander.
Let's try to solve this like gentlemen - enclosed is a copy of my U.S.C. diploma. I have also called the school and my records are intact. The rest of your "research" on me is equally faulty.
I hope this solves out problem. If not, I have consulted my attorney and any further slander directed toward me through your video series or elsewhere, will result in action taken against you.
Yours Truly,
[BIG signature]
Sean Morton
Estes had appearently been tripped up by U.S.C.'s cumbersome system for confirming degrees. Degrees cannot be easily confirmed without a student's Social Security or student i.d. number, neither of which Estes had.
On Aug. 22, 1994, after encountering similar frustrations, journalist Michael Dornheim was able to get through to a managing staff member at the U.S.C. registrar's office who confirmed that a Sean David Morton did have a Bachellor's Degree in Drama and Political Science