ORMER QUINCY MAN INDICTED FOR $1.7 MILLION REAL ESTATE FRAUD SCHEME AND EX-WIFE INDICTED FOR LYING

ORMER QUINCY MAN INDICTED FOR $1.7 MILLION REAL ESTATE

FRAUD SCHEME AND EX-WIFE INDICTED FOR LYING

BOSTON – A man who had been a fugitive for more than 20 years before his arrest in Florida in April 2017, was indicted yesterday in connection with a $1.7 million real estate investment fraud scheme in Quincy, Mass.  His ex-wife was also indicted for lying about the whereabouts of her former spouse prior to his arrest.

Scott J. Wolas, 68, who, according to court documents, also used aliases identified by initials EJD, DD, FA, EA, and CS, was indicted on seven counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. In April 2017, Wolas was arrested in Delray Beach, Fla., and charged in a complaint. He has been detained pending trial. 

Cecily Sturge, 69, of Delray Beach, Fla., was indicted on charges of making a materially false statement to a federal agent about the whereabouts of her ex-husband, Scott J. Wolas. Earlier this month, Sturge was arrested and charged by criminal complaint.

According to court documents, from at least 2009 through 2016, Wolas, using the name Eugene Grathwohl, operated a real estate business known as Increasing Fortune Inc., and worked as a licensed real estate agent for Century 21 in Quincy. From 2014 through 2016, he solicited investments for the development of the Beachcomber Bar property on Quincy Shore Drive and for the construction of a single-family home on the adjacent property. He collected more than $1.7 million from at least 20 investors and promised each of them a significant return on their investments. He allegedly promised to pay out at least 125% of the profits related to the single-family home construction.  The court documents also indicate that the bank account into which Wolas deposited investor funds has been drained, and that Wolas used the money mostly for his personal expenses unrelated to development of the real estate projects.

Wolas was scheduled to close on the Beachcomber property on Sept. 15, 2016. A week before, however, he left Quincy and ceased all contact with his then-girlfriend, his co-workers, and his investors. Law enforcement then discovered that Grathwohl was actually Wolas, a former lawyer who had been a fugitive since 1997 after being charged with fraud and grand larceny in New York. The real EJG resides in Florida and is known to Wolas.

According to court documents, law enforcement officers interviewed Sturge, Wolas’ ex-wife, on Nov. 17, 2016. During the interview, Sturge said that she had not been in contact with her ex-husband for approximately 15 years. Sturge continued to say that this was so, despite evidence of contact between her cell phone and one known to belong to Wolas that demonstrated more recent communication between the two.

After further investigation, Wolas was arrested on April 7, 2017, at a condominium he was renting in Delray Beach, Fla.  Investigators learned that Wolas had first rented the room in the condo from Nov. 12 through Nov. 21, 2016, through an online rental website in the name of Cecily Sturge.  Messages exchanged between the condo owner and Sturge depicted a photo of Sturge and messages claiming that Wolas (using the name Cameron Sturge) was Sturge’s brother and a retired paleontologist in need of a place to stay.  The owner of the condo told authorities that Sturge and Wolas arrived at the condo together in the same car on Nov. 12, 2016, five days before Sturge’s interview with law enforcement.  

            Sturge was divorced from Wolas in 2001 by default judgment in Palm Beach County, Fla.  In February 2017, Sturge filed a petition to modify the judgment in order to obtain the contents of Wolas’ retirement account, which had a balance of approximately $647,000, from the New York law firm where he worked prior to being indicted in 1997 by New York authorities. In pleadings filed in February and March 2017 regarding that matter, Sturge swore that Wolas’ whereabouts were unknown to her, despite telephone records showing frequent contact between the two.  In addition, copies or drafts of documents filed in the Florida proceeding, along with a thumb drive, were found in the room where Wolas was arrested.  The United States has obtained a court order freezing the retirement account until the resolution of the criminal proceedings.

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a minimum of two years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any term for the wire fraud, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the US sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.  

Acting United States Attorney William Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan,  made the announcement.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra S. Bower of Weinreb’s Criminal Division and David G. Lazarus and Brendan Mockler of Weinreb’s Civil Division are prosecuting the case.

CAPAC Immigration Leaders Condemn Passage of Anti-Immigrant Bills

CAPAC Immigration Leaders Condemn Passage of Anti-Immigrant Bills

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 3003, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, and H.R. 3004, Kate's Law. These anti-immigrant bills have serious consequences for immigrant communities across the United States, and would both undermine public safety and tear families apart. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“Just four years after there was a bipartisan consensus for comprehensive and humane immigration reform that would have helped families and our economy, Republicans are returning to their strategy of fear and punishment. Their first bill, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, effectively declares war on American cities, law enforcement, and immigrant communities by making deporting immigrants more of a priority than protecting communities. Police from cities and towns across the country have come out against this bill because they know that doubling as federal immigration officers actually makes their job as local law enforcement officers more difficult. And the consequences to police and cities of losing these grants are serious. All just to make immigrants feel unwelcome.

“The second bill, Kate’s Law, is even worse. This is politically-driven legislation intended to create a fear of immigrants, even though repeated studies have shown immigrants commit fewer crimes. It goes so far that it criminalizes immigrants trying to rejoin their families or refugees fleeing violence. This is shameful. And it doesn’t even accomplish what it sets out to do. Kate Steinle, whose tragic death inspired this law, would not have been saved had this law been in place as her murderer repeatedly crossed the border despite serving 16 years in prison.

“The sum of these two bills is a strategy of fear. Republicans want to tell Americans to be afraid of immigrants and are making immigrants afraid to leave their homes. That’s why police have come out to say that immigrants are too afraid to report even being a victim of sexual assault, and health clinics report that immigrants are too afraid to come in for exams. This chilling effect on millions of Americans and their families – documented or not – cannot be what our country stands for. I hope we can return to the bipartisan consensus around comprehensive immigration reform that improves the pathways to immigrate legally, keeps families together, and grows our economy.”

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), CAPAC Immigration Task Force Chair:

“I am appalled that just one week after World Refugee Day, Republicans are attempting to push through not one, but two bills that run counter to our values. Criminalizing victims of human trafficking, asylum seekers, good Samaritans, and victims of violence under the guise of safety is unacceptable. I reject these fear-mongering bills, and I will continue to fight to welcome the ‘huddled masses, yearning to breathe free,’ even as my Republican colleagues attempt to slam the door in their faces.”

Background

H.R. 3003, which passed by a vote of 228-195, allows the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to withhold crucial law enforcement and terrorism funding from jurisdictions that limit how their police can work with federal immigration agencies. Under H.R. 3003, cities and states  would risk losing federal law enforcement grants, like the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) and the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants, if they do not comply with potentially unconstitutional and illegal DHS requests to detain immigrants.

H.R. 3004, which passed by a vote of 257-167, expands criminal sentences for undocumented immigrants who reenter, or attempt to reenter, the United States. It also expands the population of people who would be subject to criminal prosecution for such crimes, including individuals who seek to apply for asylum and surrender themselves at the border, as well as individuals with no criminal history. 

10州檢察長聯名要求聯邦政府公開移民政策及執行狀況

AG HEALEY ISSUES FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S IMMIGRATION POLICIES AND ENFORCEMENT

Leads Coalition of 10 Attorneys General in Demanding Documents from Trump Administration

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today led a coalition of 10 attorneys general in demanding that the Trump Administration turn over documents and other information relating to the detention and deportation of immigrants.

The attorneys general issued Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), seeking details regarding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), arrests and/or detentions of individuals at sensitive locations, including courthouses and jobsites, and ICE or CBP detainer requests and databases.

“The Trump Administration has stoked fear across the country through its Executive Orders targeting immigrant communities, and they cannot continue to operate in the dark,” AG Healey said. “Our states, cities, and local law enforcement need real information about how federal immigration policies are being enforced in our communities in order to serve the public and keep people safe.”

In the request, the attorneys general reference local and national media reports of the deportation of individuals approved for DACA, individuals meeting with federal immigration officials to discuss their status, and even U.S. citizens.

The attorneys general are seeking information from federal agencies about the detention and deportation of individuals approved for DACA and immigration enforcement at sensitive locations – which include hospitals, courthouses and school grounds. Some of the specific information the attorneys general have requested include information about the detention or deportation of any individual previously granted approval or extension of DACA, data about detainers requests issued by ICE or CBP, memos related to ICE or CBP-designated sensitive locations, and information about arrests and/or detentions within 100 feet of a courthouse.

Earlier this year, AG Healey issued guidance to health care providers and local public school districtsin Massachusetts following inquiries from health care providers and public school officials about the impact of federal immigration policies and executive orders on patients and students. This guidance followed an advisory the AG’s Office also sent this year reminding local public school districts of their obligation under state and federal law to provide all students with equal access to primary and secondary education, irrespective of citizenship or immigration status.

Led by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, the other members of the coalition seeking this information include the attorneys general of California, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia.

走私人口賣淫 檢方起訴三嫌二華裔

THREE INDICTED ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING, MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES FOR SELLING WOMEN FOR SEX AT BROTHELS

AG’s Office, FBI Worked with Local Police Departments to Dismantle Sex Trafficking Operation in Boston, Cambridge, North Reading, and Quincy

BOSTON – Three individuals have been indicted on human trafficking and money laundering charges for trafficking women for sex at brothels throughout Greater Boston, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. The AG’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division previously arrested the individuals after a joint investigation and takedown in May.

A Statewide Grand Jury today indicted Pingxia Fan, age 40, of Boston, Timothy Hayes, age 50, of Gloucester, and Simon Shimao Lin, age 59, of Boston, in connection with trafficking women for sex at brothels in Boston, Cambridge, North Reading, and Quincy.

“Victims of human trafficking are preyed upon by pimps and traffickers who exploit the most vulnerable among us for profit,” said AG Healey. “We allege these defendants ran an extensive criminal operation that took advantage of women and sold them for sex. We thank the FBI and local police departments for their continued partnership in dismantling criminal networks that exploit human beings.”

“Collectively, it’s estimated that Fan and her associates were making millions of dollars, every year, exploiting women,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division. “When human beings are treated as commodities and are trafficked for sex, they are not only being abused physically, but emotionally, mentally, and financially. The FBI will continue to surge resources and collaborate with our law enforcement partners to impede, disrupt, and dismantle the criminal networks that are responsible for this illegal activity.”

The defendants were indicted by a Statewide Grand Jury on the following charges:

Timothy Hayes, age 50, of Gloucester

Trafficking Persons for Sexual Servitude (5 counts)

Deriving Support from Prostitution (5 counts)

Keeping House of Ill Fame (5 counts)

Conspiracy to Traffic Persons for Sexual Servitude (5 counts)

Money Laundering (3 counts)

Pingxia Fan, age 40, of Boston

Trafficking Persons for Sexual Servitude (5 counts)

Deriving Support from Prostitution (5 counts)

Keeping House of Ill Fame (5 counts)

Conspiracy to Traffic Persons for Sexual Servitude (5 counts)

Money Laundering (3 counts)

Simon Shimao Lin, age 59, of Boston

Trafficking Persons for Sexual Servitude (2 counts)

Conspiracy to Traffic Persons for Sexual Servitude (2 counts)

Money Laundering (3 counts)

The defendants will be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on some charges on July 18. They will be arraigned in Middlesex and Norfolk Superior Courts at later dates.

The defendants were arrested in May after an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Human Trafficking Division.

The AG’s Office began an investigation after a referral from the North Reading Police Department, which did an initial investigation into a brothel in North Reading and offered extensive assistance in this case.

           

The investigation revealed that these defendants ran a sex trafficking and money laundering operation involving multiple brothels—two in Quincy, and single locations in Boston, Cambridge, and North Reading. The defendants allegedly used multiple vehicles to transport sex trafficking victims, money, and supplies.

The defendants allegedly arranged for women to meet with men at the brothel locations to provide commercial sexual services in exchange for cash. Authorities allege the majority of the money from these encounters went to the defendants, which they laundered into the business to perpetuate the daily operations of the criminal enterprise.

These charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

AG Healey has a dedicated Human Trafficking Division that focuses on policy, prevention and prosecution and includes a team of specialized prosecutors, victim advocates and Massachusetts State Police troopers who handle high impact, multi-jurisdictional human trafficking investigations and prosecutions across the state. Through the Human Trafficking Division, the AG’s Office has charged more than 35 individuals in connection with human trafficking since the law was passed.

The FBI Boston Division's Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force is one of 12 DOJ-funded task forces in the country with the mission to combat sex and labor trafficking. Nationally, the FBI participates in over 100 human trafficking task forces and working groups. The FBI believes in a victim-centered approach to human trafficking investigations, where identifying and stabilizing victims of this heinous crime is equally as important as providing resources to help them.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Nancy Rothstein and Jeffrey Bourgeois, both of the AG’s Human Trafficking Division, with assistance from Deputy Chief of the Human Trafficking Division Jennifer Snook, Nikki Antonucci, Chief of the AG’s Victim Services Division and Investigator Jillian Petruzziello of the AG’s Financial Investigations Division. It was investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Human Trafficking Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force, with assistance from the AG’s Digital Evidence Lab. The Massachusetts State Police and the Boston, Cambridge, Gloucester, Newton, North Reading, Quincy and Revere Police Departments also provided assistance

波士頓第36屆海港節訂6/30啟動

CITY OF BOSTON KICKS-OFF 36th ANNUAL HARBORFEST

Opening ceremony to be held at Faneuil Hall Marketplace

BOSTON - Wednesday, June 28, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the City of Boston will kick-off the 36th annual Boston Harborfest at Faneuil Hall Marketplace on Friday, June 30 at 11:00 a.m. "Boston is the perfect place to celebrate our nation's independence," said Mayor Walsh. "Every year, Harborfest partners give residents and visitors the opportunity to celebrate Boston's unique history and diverse waterfront and harbor with exciting events and activities. I encourage everyone to attend this wonderful, inclusive event." Boston Harborfest is a multi-day festival with activities celebrating American Independence, honoring the city's colonial roots, and showcasing Boston's vibrant harbor. Mayor Walsh will be joined by Rear Admiral Steven Poulin, First Commander, United States Coast Guard Sector Boston; Commander Robert Gerosa, Captain, USS Constitution; Pat Moscaritolo, President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau; Joe O'Malley, General Manager of Faneuil Hall Marketplace; and Harborfest partners during the celebration to kick-off the festival. Residents, visitors and businesses are invited to participate in the patriotic opening ceremony, which will feature The 215 Army Band who will lead the crowd in singing the National Anthem, and the ceremonial cutting of the Harborfest cake. Mayor Walsh, Commander Poulin, and Commander Gerosa and special guests will use a cutglass (sword) to cut the cake, provided by Faneuil Hall Marketplace and created by Montilio's. National Park Service Park Rangers and Freedom Trail® Players, dressed in 18th-century costume, will be on hand to offer historical information about Faneuil Hall and other sites along the Freedom Trail. Held from June 30 through July 4, Harborfest celebrates the colonial and maritime heritage of America's independence in Boston. Over the years, Harborfest has grown from a local event to a national celebration. In 1982 there were 35 activities over the course of three days. Now in its 36th year, Harborfest is considered to be the country's largest Fourth of July festival with hundreds of activities over a 5-day period at Boston's best landmarks. The family-friendly event includes the annual opening ceremony at Faneuil Hall, historical reenactments, Freedom Trail® tours and historic sites' programs and events, activities along Boston Harbor, live entertainment, and much more. Harborfest will feature highlights at Christopher Columbus Park throughout the holiday weekend. Arts at Harborfest, a curated preview to the September Boston Area Festival, will return on Saturday, July 1 followed by a performance from Sweet Harmony and a screening of Yankee Doodle Dandy. Sunday will reintroduce Chowderfest where attendees may vote on the best creations from local restaurants.   For more Harborfest information and a list of activities, please call 617-439-7700 or visit  www.Bostonharborfest.com

Governor Baker Nominates Frederick Baran to Chicopee District Court

Governor Baker Nominates Frederick Baran to Chicopee District Court

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Frederick R. Baran, Jr. to the position of Clerk Magistrate of the Chicopee District Court. Baran has served as Acting Clerk Magistrate in the Chicopee District Court since July of 2016 and has served in Holyoke District Court as First Assistant Clerk Magistrate since 1990 and Acting Clerk Magistrate since 1996. In addition, Attorney Baran has served as Acting District Court Region VI Coordinator in Holyoke since 2011.

“Frederick Baran has a long history of serving the people of the Commonwealth as a Clerk Magistrate in various District Courts in Western Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am pleased to nominate him for the Governor’s Council’s advice and consent. If confirmed, the Chicopee District Court will benefit greatly from his experience, knowledge and wisdom.”

“I am pleased with the nomination of a skilled and well-respected civil servant that is such an active and rooted member of the Hampden County community,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I am confident that Attorney Baran’s professional skills developed over more than three decades in the legal system will serve the judges, lawyers and litigants who appear in the Chicopee District Court well."

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February, 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April, 2015.

The District Court hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties; all misdemeanors; and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. In civil matters, District Court judges conduct both jury and jury-waived trials, and determine with finality any matter in which the likelihood of recovery does not exceed $25,000. The District Court also tries small claims involving up to $7,000 (initially tried to a magistrate, with a defense right of appeal either to a judge or to a jury). The District Court's civil jurisdiction also includes many specialized proceedings, including abuse prevention restraining orders and civil motor vehicle infractions (tried initially to a magistrate, with right of appeal to a judge).

For more information about the District Court, visit http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/trial-court/dc/

About Frederick R. Baran, Jr.

Frederick R. Baran, Jr. is the Acting Clerk Magistrate in the Chicopee District Court. Before starting his legal career, Baran was a science teacher at Chestnut Junior High School in Springfield. Practicing eight years as a General Associate for Ducharme, Moriarty & Wilson in Holyoke, Baran was then selected as the First Assistant Clerk Magistrate for the Holyoke District Court in 1990. As the Acting District Court Region VI Coordinator for the District Court since 2011, Baran coordinated assignments for the twelve courts in the region to assure adequate coverage in addition to conducting training and resolving court personnel matters and conflicts. He received his Juris Doctor at Suffolk University Law School in 1982 and his Bachelor of Science in Education from Fitchburg State College in 1977.  He currently resides with his family in Holyoke.

頂大學人講座 談數位人文，營養，地圖

部分出席人員與講者，經文處教育組組長黃薳玉(前右六)合影。(謝開明攝

                             (Boston Orange 周菊子劍橋市綜合報導) 駐波士頓經文處教育組與紐英崙中華專業人員協會合辦的”頂大學人講座”，6月24日下午在MIT舉辦今年第四場，由訪問學人劉昭麟，專協李小玉醫師，袁尚賢暢論飲食營養，數位人文，古代地圖，從不同角度敲人腦洞。

中華專協會長蔡明機(右)和經文處教育組長黃薳玉(左)頒感謝狀
給講者李小玉(中)。(謝開明攝)

               從哈佛醫學院退休的李小玉醫師談”營養，摩登的煩惱”。他說人們常在網上讀到很多有關營養的文章，但要判斷資訊的正確性，就很傷腦筋。他建議先查來源，首先是.gov，接著是.edu，其次.org，最不可靠的就是.com，然後要看作者是誰，研究時間多長，是否有統計比較，有沒實驗室證明等等，如果是一般人寫的，當然就不見得可靠。

中華專協會長蔡明機(右)和經文處教育組長黃薳玉(左)頒感謝狀
給講者劉昭麟(中)。(謝開明攝)

             他還談及身體脂肪指數(BMI)，升糖指數(Glycemic index)，胰島素指數等。他指出，糖分對人體健康有最不好的影響，尤其是果凍豆(jelly bean)會大幅度提高升糖指數，胰島素指數，最好避免食用。網上也有表格列出了各種食物的升糖指數，胰島素指數，大家在選擇食物時可以拿來做參考。

             至於膽固醇，李小玉指出，其實食物中的膽固醇和血液中的膽固醇沒有太大關係。遺傳可能是更重的因素。

               政大資訊系特聘教授劉昭麟目前在哈佛大學做訪問學者，參與包弼德所領導”中國歷代人物傳記資料庫”項目。他指出，和人文社會學者攜手，應用資訊科技來做研究的跨領域合作，叫做”數位人文”，是應用電腦技術，從古代文獻中搜尋人名，居住地，官銜，以及量化數據等資料，再藉人工驗證所搜尋資料的正確性，進而建立龐大可靠的資料庫。

中華專協會長蔡明機(右)和經文處教育組長黃薳玉(左)頒感謝狀
給講者袁尚賢(中)。(謝開明攝)

             他介紹了台灣，中國大陸及美國目前的數位人文發展概況。台灣方面，有政府支持的多項數位典藏計畫，台灣的大學圖書館也建有許多數位典藏庫，各自把館內藏書轉換為電子資源，讓這些內容可以有更多元化，更廣泛的應用。

             劉昭麟用分析唐詩，宋詞的最常用字，最常見顏色，比較詩人使用的詞彙等來舉例闡述”數位人文”可發揮的作用。例如唐詩中使用最多的顏色是白色，宋詞中最常看到是紅色，李白詩中的月，比杜甫詩中的月，蘊含更豐富義像，更有特色等。

             也是在用數位人文研究清朝歷史時，他發現，其實早在清朝年間，中國就有地方選舉了，以及美國人對中國人的稱呼是怎麼從”豬仔”，變成”華工”，再成為”華人”的歷史轉變。

             劉昭麟不諱言，做科學數據和從事人文社會研究的人，由於對彼此專業的不了解，跨領域合作時，的確遭遇過需要溝通認知差距的階段。

             袁尚賢在上海出生，台灣長大，美國拿合成化學博士學位，還曾在麻省理工學院做博士後。由於當年在台大唸過兩年地質學，他對地圖一直有濃厚興趣。有一次在拍賣會上看到John Thornton的1703年版本”英國駕駛地圖”，其中一頁竟然畫的是在廈門和他老家舟山之間的航行方向。他想買，但太貴，於是跑到哈佛大學圖書館，戴上手套慢慢翻閱。

             由於對地圖的愛好，以及其後的收藏，研究，袁尚賢還知道了早年的古董地圖經紀，有些地圖其實是偷回來的。古代的地圖，尤其是中國航海用地圖，更關心水有多深，船怎麼走，遠方可辨識地標等資訊。航道幾乎都很精準，其他內容就有偏頗。

             袁尚賢指出，從1405年起，鄭和曾經七下西洋，但他使用的航海圖，卻很可惜的似乎都找不到了，只在茅元儀之武備志中還找到一點。

             1584年時，歐洲出現第一張中國地圖，北右下方有日本，渤海，福爾摩沙島(Isl Fermosa)，右邊還有蒙古包，風帆車這些後來在歐洲地圖中常常畫著有，中國版本卻很少提。

             大約在公元前200年時，Appolodorus用Seres 絲縷氏來命名中國，翻成拉丁文是Serica, Sina，Chinae等等，後來義大利文稱做Cina，法文是Chine，西班牙文China，原本都讀做斯那，到英文就讀成了恰那。

             至於利瑪竇的1569年坤輿萬國圖，給了後代學生綠島(Greenland)比南美還大的錯誤印象。(圖片已於6月25日發表)