NEWS / Man used bogus birth certificate to enroll at MN high school

A man used a fake birth certificate to claim that he was a teenager and thus eligible to enroll at the White Bear Lake Area High School in the State of Minnesota. High school officials claim that they followed state law and had no reason to believe the birth certificate had been fraudulent at the time.

The high school’s superintended, Wayne Kazmierczak, noted that the man, whose real name is Kevin M. Luebke, enrolled in the high school using the fake name of Kevin C. Perry, Jr.

“Although the investigation is ongoing, I want to provide some accurate information to clear up rumors and reassure families that the safety and well-being of all students remains our highest priority,” Kazmierczak was quoted by Fox News 9 as stating.

Kazmierczak went on to say that Luebke certified on enrollment forms that he was a homeless unaccompanied youth and presented a fake birth certificate that appeared to be issued in a foreign country showing that he was 18 years of age and thus eligible for high school enrollment. The fake birth certificate did not appear fraudulent as it had authentic looking watermarks as well as official stamps and seals.

The superintendent noted that under the McKinney Vento Act, the school was required to immediately enroll the student, even if that student cannot provide standard documentation such as academic records, immunizations, or proof of residency.

All in all, Luebke was enrolled as a student for 19 days, participating in 3 football practices. Kazmierczak thanked families and students for providing information that led to the school’s investigation and subsequent revocation of Luebke’s enrollment.

“We will continue to investigate and to work closely with the White Bear Lake Police Department as they conduct their investigation,” Kazmierczak stated. “In addition, we will review our enrollment procedures to determine whether additional safeguards can be implemented without violating the McKinney-Vento Act or guidance from the U.S. and Minnesota Departments of Education.”