Long Island UFO Update - Vol 2 No 5

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Long Island U.F.O. Update, Volume II, Issue V, dated May 1991, is primarily an investigative report focused on William Knell, the leader of Island Skywatch, and his association with the Long Island U.F.O. Network (LIUFON).

LIUFON News

The "LIUFON NEWS" section on page 2 details the organization's activities in May 1991. LIUFON was busy clearing a backlog of investigations, with over half of its 47 outstanding cases addressed. Due to a special issue, regular features were temporarily deleted and would reappear in June. The organization welcomed two new investigators, Buzz Eldridge and Leola Sutton. LIUFON Chairman John Ford was interviewed on the Bob Hieronimus Show, which aired on over 180 radio stations, leading to LIUFON being listed as a permanent speaker with the 21st Century Radio Network. The public response was positive. Debbie and Barry Gellis were airing reruns of LIUFON programs, generating inquiries for membership. The long-awaited "Journal" on the Moriches Bay U.F.O. Crash Investigation, approximately 42 pages long, was nearing completion and was expected to be published by late June or early July, after delays due to the evolving nature of the investigation and photocopier breakdowns. LIUFON's Florida chapter notified Florida police agencies about the organization, requesting referrals for UFO research calls. Kelly Freeman was noted for her work in this area.

Membership Corner

The membership meeting on May 31, 1991, at the South Country Library featured the second installment on the Billy Meir case. The next meeting was scheduled for June 28, 1991, at the same location, to conclude the Billy Meir case and discuss the entire case. A Channel 12 news clip about the organization was to be replayed. The meeting was open to the public.

Operation Long Island Skywatch

Weekly sighting parties were continuing around Moriches Bay to photograph UFO activity. Interested parties were advised to call during the week for location confirmation.

UFO Sightings

Members were asked to report UFO sightings or news clippings to the organization for investigation. Reports could be submitted via hotline or mail, with the sponsor's name mentioned in newsletters or journals.

An Eye on Report: Island Sky Watch; Exposed!!!! The Case Against Bill Knell!!!

This investigative report, presented as a public service, aims to inform readers about the "controversial organization" and its leader, Bill Knell. It alleges that Knell and his organization exploit human interest for financial gain and public recognition at the expense of others. The report traces Knell's rise to prominence over the last two years, during which he presented "extraordinary information" on UFO sightings, filling local libraries and receiving media attention on radio and TV. He even hosted a weekly TV show on Brookhaven Cable Television. However, the report claims that Knell and Island Skywatch are now in "ruins," with his name discredited among leading UFO research organizations. Many researchers reportedly refuse to share their findings with him for fear of exploitation. Island Skywatch's membership has significantly decreased, with its leadership having left due to "falsehoods portrayed as real U.F.O. Incidents by Bill Knell." The report states Knell is "hounded by lawsuits and legal judgments" and is trying to avoid public attention regarding his decline.

Say he sold guns, ammo to 'anyone'

This New York Daily News article, dated March 6th, 1984, details the arrest of William Knell, a 27-year-old Queens man, for the illegal sale of over 1,000 weapons and ammunition. Police Officer Steve Alu stated that "at least a thousand extra guns" were on the street due to Knell's activities. Knell had obtained a federal firearms license for $10 and was selling guns without proper record-keeping or adherence to regulations. He was arrested after posing as a delivery man to deliver handguns to Knell. Knell confessed to selling approximately 1,000 weapons since January 1, 1984. The article questions how many of these guns were used in violent crimes and criticizes Knell as a "responsible U.F.O. investigator with twenty years of experience at his personal best."

Bill Knell, His Background

This section delves into William Knell's personal history. He was born and raised on Long Island, claiming his father was a retired Naval Officer in Naval Intelligence. His mother was a nurse. Knell states his interest in UFOs began at age ten when he and his parents were at Jones Beach, where he claims to have discovered a UFO landing circle. He also claims to have witnessed a UFO landing behind his high school in Gulfport, Florida, in 1969-1973, where he helped form a UFO club. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1973, qualifying for M.P. School, but reportedly worked in the Base Mess Hall. He claims he reached the rank of Sergeant before his discharge in 1975. He then attended Liberty Baptist College in Lynchburg, Virginia, for two years but did not complete his degree. Returning to New York, he worked in loss prevention for Ogden Foods and later as a Security Supervisor for Burns Security, including a brief period guarding Mayor Koch. In 1982, he became a Security Director for Burns. During this time, his interest in UFOs continued as a hobby. A story surfaced that he stole a manuscript from former LIUFON investigator Peter Barcello and published it under his own name in the MUFON Journal, leading to a confrontation with Barcello.

Bill Knell's Association with L.I.U.F.O.N.

This section details Knell's involvement with LIUFON, which was formed in April 1988 by Richard Stout and John Ford to investigate UFO activity on Long Island. In October 1988, Knell applied for membership and was accepted as an investigator trainee after an interview and background check. He signed a contract agreeing not to disclose confidential information and acknowledging that LIUFON held title to all investigative materials. The report claims Knell had "very little investigative experience" and "lacked any science background." It states he was characterized as "amateurish and superficial" by other investigators and often jumped to quick conclusions. Knell allegedly had "ulterior motives" for joining and soon began to "take advantage of a situation for his own agrandizement." He was found to be uncooperative and insubordinate. Director of Investigations, Ali Hasidi, found him to be a discipline problem. Knell reportedly lied about an incident where he chased a Suffolk County Sheriff's car during a surveillance operation. He also gave out his home address and phone number to witnesses instead of the organization's and conducted his own investigations without permission, knowing LIUFON held title to the information. He allegedly took copies of official press releases and issued them to the media, claiming to be the Queen's County Chairman of LIUFON and advertising his personal number as the organization's hotline. This was done without the Board's knowledge or authorization. By this time, 18 of the 22 investigators refused to work with him. Additionally, investigator Rick Govan uncovered that Knell ran a "bootleg video business" which he had not disclosed. On February 2, 1989, the Board of Directors unanimously expelled him as a member and investigator. The report refutes Knell's claim that he resigned due to organizational issues, stating he was expelled for "pulling a lot of frauds against the organization."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the alleged deception and fraudulent activities of William Knell, the credibility of UFO investigators, and the importance of organizational integrity. The editorial stance is highly critical of William Knell, portraying him as a dishonest individual who exploits the UFO community for personal gain, driven by greed and a desire for fame. The magazine emphasizes the contrast between Knell's self-proclaimed expertise and his documented history of criminal behavior and lack of genuine investigative skill. It also highlights the internal workings and standards of organizations like LIUFON, stressing the need for transparency and ethical conduct among its members.

Title: THE LONG ISLAND U.F.O. UPDATE
Issue: June Issue
Volume: 1991
Publisher: THE LONG ISLAND U.F.O. NETWORK INC.
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of "The Long Island U.F.O. Update" focuses heavily on "PART II: ISLAND SKYWATCH EXPOSED ! THE CASE AGAINST BILL KNELL !", detailing allegations against Bill Knell, a former member of the organization.

The Case Against Bill Knell

The article details how, in the two years since his expulsion from L.I.U.F.O.N., Bill Knell has allegedly stolen confidential materials, including video recordings, from the organization's archives. These recordings, described as confidential, have reportedly been used by Knell for commercial purposes without permission. Furthermore, Knell is accused of launching a purposeful campaign to smear the name and reputation of L.I.U.F.O.N. and its members within the research community through his newsletter and public talks.

Specific accusations include attacking the character and religious beliefs of Dick Ruhl, a nationally known U.F.O. expert associated with L.I.U.F.O.N. Knell allegedly characterized Ruhl as a religious fanatic due to his belief that the U.F.O. Phenomenon might be linked to Biblical prophecy. This criticism stemmed from Ruhl's role in organizing the Vanderbilt Planetarium Show, where he convinced Director Gary Levine not to include Knell due to concerns about his responsibility as a researcher. Knell allegedly responded by falsely accusing Levine of wanting speaker's fees kicked back to the Planetarium.

L.I.U.F.O.N. states that Knell's attacks on the organization and its research efforts continue. However, the article claims Knell himself has suffered, with his own character and research efforts facing increased scrutiny and ridicule. In response to Knell's alleged theft of records, L.I.U.F.O.N. has retained legal counsel and is planning a massive Federal Copyright infringement lawsuit against him, as well as seeking criminal action with Federal authorities.

The report also claims that Knell has victimized other organizations and researchers, exploiting them and slandering them in his attacks. Upon leaving L.I.U.F.O.N., Knell allegedly resumed his private research and gave several library talks using L.I.U.F.O.N.'s name, attempting to exploit their reputation. The report indicates that the "tale of Mr. Knell continues" with his establishment of Island Skywatch and the faked Kissena Park U.F.O. Landing case, promising more information on his activities and scandals.

The Long Island Scene

This section reports on a quiet month for sightings on Long Island, with L.I.U.F.O.N. primarily focused on catching up with backlog reports. One case investigated involved a 1973 sighting in Riverhead where a young mother and her three children reported a "domed disc" that chased their car and blocked their path. The mother saw the disc, and her daughter reported another one. The investigation involved interviewing the mother and daughter. The daughter, now 22, also reported an experience in her bedroom three weeks after the sighting, where a "large grey mouse" levitated her bed while she was paralyzed.

The investigative team noted the young woman showed signs of severe emotional trauma and fear when looking at alien drawings. The mother mentioned her daughter has shown "tremendous psychic powers" since the U.F.O. event and has had deep emotional problems. Both mother and daughter have reportedly had similar strange psychic events, suggesting a possible U.F.O. abduction with long-lasting effects.

The Manhattan Abduction Case was also re-interviewed on May 19th. Regressions conducted by Bud Hopkins revealed that six of the woman's pregnancies were terminated by aliens, including one substantiated by medical records. These records have been provided to a medical doctor for review. L.I.U.F.O.N. plans to continue investigating this case.

Editor's Note

The editors apologize for the late arrival and printing of the newsletter, citing a broken photocopier that was awaiting repair.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine's stance is clearly in opposition to Bill Knell, portraying him as a dishonest individual who has stolen from and slandered the organization. The publication actively investigates and reports on UFO sightings and abduction cases, demonstrating a commitment to researching the phenomenon. There is a strong emphasis on legal recourse against individuals perceived as harming the organization. The recurring theme is the defense of L.I.U.F.O.N.'s reputation and research integrity against external threats, particularly from former members like Knell.