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New Mexican's Claims of Ground Zero Rescue Work Called Into Question
A 9/11 Phony — a series published starting July 11, 2004
Self-proclaimed rescue guru Doug Copp's mission to ground zero was considered so important that he had clearance to be flown to New York even though all civilian air traffic in the United States had been grounded. Once there, he says he assumed a pivotal role and sustained devastating injuries while wading through the "toxic soup" in search of survivors and victims, and was awarded nearly $650,000 for his injuries. But there is little evidence Copp performed real rescue work, and it is doubtful that he deserves compensation.
At the WTC
[+] View Slideshow Journal File
Doug Copp sat on a ledge outside the ground zero perimeter on Sept. 13, 2001, after he talked his way past the first police barrier. The East Mountains resident had arrived in Manhattan from New Mexico hours earlier and maintained there were between 400 and 500 people still trapped alive at the World Trade Center.
READ DAY 1:Claims of Heroism Called Into Question more Appeals to 9/11 Fund Had Lawmakers' Help more Justice Dept. Inquiry Requested by Udall more
READ DAY 2:'Bombero' Arrives at Ground Zero more AG: Fund Raising Violated N.M. Law more Journal Jet Trips Not Unusual more
READ DAY 3:Striking Out at Ground Zero more Doctors Differ on Ailments more Copp Apparently Missed 9/11 Fund Deadline more
READ DAY 4:'Knucklehead' or Hero? more Copp Says Proof Is in the Footage more FOLLOW UPS:
Widow Tells of Copp Ordeal(Sunday, July 18, 2004) more Feds Investigate 9/11 Injury Claim(Sunday, July 18, 2004) more
