Flight school official says multiple international students have withdrawn enrollments after Chinese espionage claims by Anderson council member
After advocacy by IASCO Flight Training Operations Manager Miranda Vorhis, the Anderson city council adopted a social media policy Tuesday night. But she said there’s already been measurable harm inflicted upon the school.
Several international students have withdrawn their enrollment at a local flight school, citing safety concerns after an Anderson council member accused the school and its students of engaging in Chinese espionage, an official with the school said this week.
In January, IASCO Flight Training — a flight school based at Redding Regional Airport — posted a photo of nine cadets to recognize them for completing their flight training. The moment of online celebration took a turn when Anderson City Council member Darin Hale commented on the post with the same photo of the cadets, which he had altered by overlaying the words, “China’s Peoples Liberation Army / Redding CA,” with arrows pointing down at each cadet.
In the comments of the same post, Hale claimed that the flight school puts “American lives at risk,” citing his belief that Chinese students in the U.S. gather information and report it to their government. In the weeks following, Hale continued his allegations against the school in numerous posts on his personal Facebook page, though he didn’t provide evidence proving his claim that students at the flight school were engaging in Chinese espionage.
The flight school responded to Hale in comments on the IASCO Facebook post and in a letter to the Anderson City Council, stating that his unfounded claims mischaracterized the school and its students “in a manner that is inflammatory, factually incorrect, and has encouraged hostility that places our students, instructors, and staff at risk.” The claims and IASCO’s response, which occurred amid intense national immigration action by the federal government, prompted news coverage by both local Shasta outlets and the L.A. Times.
IASCO Flight Training Operations Manager Miranda Vorhis, who signed the letter to the city council, said she also requested that the council adopt a social media policy to curtail claims like Hale’s from being made in an official capacity. The council ended up adopting such a policy on Tuesday, with Hale casting the lone dissenting vote.
In an interview yesterday, Vorhis told Shasta Scout that in the time since Hale’s claims were made, the school has had several previously enrolled students from other countries withdraw their enrollment because they either felt it wasn’t safe enough to attend the school at this time, or that it wasn’t in their best interest.
“What has happened, even to this point, has been very detrimental to our company and our organization,” she said. “It’s stirred up a lot of issues … It’s still a very real security risk.”
She noted that Hale’s statements have come at a time when many immigrants are concerned about safety in America.
“I don’t believe that, you know, in Redding or anywhere in the U.S., that immigrants are inherently unsafe,” Vorhis said, “but it is a real concern, especially now, for a lot of students.”
Asked about whether the school might take legal action over Hale’s claims, she said it’s been a consideration, but she can’t speak on that matter further.
Hale told Shasta Scout in an interview yesterday that he “doesn’t have a whole lot of remorse” about the withdrawn enrollment of several students at the school because it’s owned by a China-based company. Hale also repeated a claim he’s made on social media that he believes IASCO is training Chinese citizens to be pilots in the Chinese military.
“I understand a lot of that is out of our local control, that that has to do with Congress and the executive branch,” he said, referencing that decision-makers about U.S. immigration policy aren’t local. “But what we do have the ability to do … is voice our concerns about it.”
Hale did say he’s been posting about the flight school less frequently lately because he feels he’s done all that he can to prove links between IASCO and China. He added that he asked the Anderson City Council to write a letter to the Redding City Council asking members to further investigate the school, but that the request was denied.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Anderson council members did not directly address Hale’s claims about the flight school. But they did take action in response to Vorhis’ concerns by passing a social media policy that outlines guidelines for public officials and city staff when it comes to social media use.
At the meeting, Hale said he disagreed with some aspects of the newly-approved policy, including a provision that requires public officials to state whether they’re speaking in an official or personal capacity when discussing city-related matters on their personal accounts, calling the directive unconstitutional. He also said he will be refusing to follow the new policy when it comes to clarifying on every one of his social media page posts whether or not he’s speaking in a personal or official capacity when discussing city matters.
Vorhis said she’s glad that the council ended up adopting such a policy, but that Hale’s response raises concerns.
“I’m concerned that [the council is] going to have issues enforcing it, and I’m hoping that they have some kind of plan in place to be able to do that because, as Mr. Hale said on multiple occasions … he doesn’t intend to follow it.”
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Great citizens and Patriots, forcing liberals and Democrats to defend the enemy every single day! Don’t worry, there is some experts spying going on. They will be found with espionage.
With respect to this story: It’s very interesting how the majority of comments on Shasta Scout’s Facebook page are conservative vs the majority left-leaning comments on the SS website.
You can infer from that either:
1. a difference in platform editorial control or
2. possibly Facebook commenters are possibly not local (or visa versa).
It is interesting. Is this true of other popular posts?
The Guardian newspaper reported on a retired USMC fighter pilot who moved to Australia and then worked for mainland China, teaching flying skills. He was prosecuted by Australia with US help, accused of teaching a potential enemy how to fight against Australia/US. Don’t know the verdict. But this shows that the government is aware of the danger. If that was happening at the flight school here, the Feds would have shut it down!
For those concerned about these Chinese farm boys flying over Redding with homemade bombs, make an appt with the local or SAC office of the FBI and make your complaints. Better have some non-redacted proof. Why aren’t you leveling the same intense accusations to those international students at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry ? Some are from China.
In recent weeks, the controversy surrounding statements made by Anderson City Council member Darin Hale about IASCO Flight Training has escalated beyond the realm of political rhetoric and into territory that may carry real legal consequences. Reports indicate that several international students have withdrawn from the program following public allegations suggesting that Chinese flight students training at IASCO could be linked to military espionage. For a private aviation training institution whose reputation depends on international partnerships, such statements—if unsupported by verifiable evidence—can inflict substantial and measurable harm.
Under both federal constitutional doctrine and California civil law, the right to free speech is broad but not limitless. False statements of fact that damage a person’s or entity’s reputation may constitute defamation, and when those statements are published in writing or online, the tort is specifically categorized as libel. When a public official publicly insinuates that a private company is connected to foreign military espionage, courts may view that allegation as defamation per se, a category of defamatory speech that presumes reputational harm because it accuses the subject of criminal or disloyal conduct. If IASCO can demonstrate that such claims were made without factual foundation and caused financial injury, California law provides a pathway to civil redress.
Beyond traditional libel claims, IASCO may also have grounds to explore causes of action under the doctrine of trade libel, sometimes referred to as commercial disparagement. This legal theory addresses false statements that directly undermine the quality, legitimacy, or integrity of a company’s services. If the reported withdrawal of international students can be linked to the public dissemination of allegations involving espionage or military affiliation, those losses may constitute special damages recoverable in civil litigation. In addition, California courts recognize the tort of intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, which protects businesses from conduct that intentionally disrupts ongoing or anticipated economic relationships.
Of course, any potential lawsuit would have to navigate California’s Anti-SLAPP statute, codified in the Code of Civil Procedure §425.16, which protects speech related to matters of public interest. However, that statute does not grant blanket immunity. Plaintiffs can prevail if they demonstrate a probability of success on the merits by showing that the statements were false assertions of fact rather than protected opinion. Courts have repeatedly held that accusations implying criminal conduct or espionage cross the line from protected commentary into potentially actionable defamation when unsupported by credible evidence.
Legal action is not merely about financial compensation; it is also about accountability and the preservation of institutional trust. Aviation training institutions such as IASCO operate within a highly regulated federal framework that includes oversight by agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration and federal security vetting of international students. Publicly casting suspicion on such programs without substantiated proof risks undermining not only a local employer but also the credibility of the regulatory safeguards that already exist.
Ultimately, whether IASCO chooses to pursue litigation is a decision for its leadership and legal counsel. Yet the situation raises an important question for our community: when public discourse crosses into the dissemination of potentially damaging factual claims, should the law provide a remedy? Civil courts exist precisely to adjudicate such disputes. If the allegations made against IASCO prove unfounded and demonstrably harmful, seeking judicial review may be the most effective way to restore both reputational integrity and public confidence.
Amen !
Between this and the voting ballot measure, Shastanistan is certainly a target rich environment for tort lqawyers! Sue this fool into the poorhouse.
Selah
Typical rapid MAGA white nationalistism. This is California, not some compound in Idaho.
So glad that after November we will be represented by a Congress person, someone who we can ask for help in bringing Shasta County into the United States of America, where racism in government is illegal.
I mention this only as a counterpoint to the echo chamber of comments here:
The Chinese government pays for the students’ training thru natuonalized airlines.
Do I think that the students who come thru Redding bringing business to the local community will one day become the ace military pilots who are the difference makers in a WW3 scenario against the USA? Very low probability.
However— along party lines there is a freedom of criticism comparison to be made between the Chinese owned IASCO with Bethel’s presence in the community. How can democrats prove Bethel isn’t a supernatural organization like the X-men or Avengers with a sexually depraved C-suite? How can republicans prove IASCO which is is owned by China, isn’t cross-training future soldiers. How many of our government sponsored pilots would be allowed to train in China? This board member should weigh the true risks of national security vs the rents and uber eats revenue we receive, just as we have done w Bethel. He will find that it’s probably worth the risk to train a few Chinese pilots just as it is to allow a cult to run our county.
Not the echo chamber…NO!!!!
Oh, you mean the people pointing out how ridiculous the claims are.
But you feel it necessary to back up the ridiculous claims in order to speak out against the echo chamber.
Alrighty.
So very low probability that these students will one day become the ace military pilots who are the difference makers in a WW3 scenario against the USA, but gotta make sure ya argue against the echo chamber, right?
Especially those Asian BSSM students, surely they’re here to take the word of God back to the Chinese leaders and turn China into a democracy. The training the studetns get in their 1950s Single Engine Piper Cubs do not translate to Chinese fighter jets. Hale must go, he’s an embarrassment to Anderson and the county.
You know the interesting part is he has nieces that are of Asian decent and family members that are Hispanic and him expressing concerns and asking our council to investigate a possible invasion means we should look into it. I doubt any of you have actually researched it further than this article. Maybe do some research yourselves and see if he is on to something. It was long ago 911 happened.
A possible invasion, huh?
And you want me to do my own research, but you won’t provide a link or source.
So please do provide a source, otherwise it’s just a bunch of hogwash.
Lmao, Or maybe, Mr Hale’s the one who made the claim, so he is the one that needs to provide the proof.
I don’t believe everything that I hear unless there are some good sources that indicate that it might be true. Guess I’m just a skeptic.
Not going to believe the moon is made of blue cheese unless someone’s able to prove it.
So hey, if you’ve researched it why don’t you post your own proof?
And guess what, most, if not all, of the Chinese students have studied English since the first grade, plus they have a translation app in their cellphone and laptop. they wouldn’t pass their 2 yr. course if they couldn’t pass flight school terms. Lawsuit time, try to get out of this one Mr Hale.
Spreading gossip and lies about people is slander. The students and the school should not have to sue this fool, he should be terminated.
Hale’s unproved assertions about the link between the flight school and the Chinese military may be rooted in racism, but he has the constitutional right to express his opinion. That said, the 1st amendment doesn’t protect you from suffering the consequences of your free speech—including social ostracization and civil liability.
It’s the same problem years ago I interviewed as a dispatcher there and the reason I didn’t feel comfortable is because not one of the students spoke English they could barely understand English therefore I could never understand how they understood the training instructions if they can’t understand English not one single student spoke English or it was very difficult to communicate with them and I just didn’t feel it was a good place to take a job. It seems not much has changed I don’t understand how this place is still in business.
Wow, so you had an interview there. An INTERVIEW.
…
So you didn’t actually work there, did you? But somehow you actually have some insight into how it operated around there.
…
You didn’t feel comfortable at a place that you were never actually hired at, but somehow you are still surprised that they are in business when they’ve been here for over what…50 years? (ish)
…
But go ahead and make your opinion be known about how a place that you never worked for made you feel uncomfortable because some of the people spoke a language you didn’t understand.
I’ll bet they knew how to use punctuation, at the very least.
I also find it hilarious that Mr Hale thinks that training someone to fly a commercial airplane is in any way shape or form similar to piloting a fighter.
And we’re doing it in good old Shasta county of all places!! What are the chances??
😝🤣
“He also said he will be refusing to follow the new policy when it comes to clarifying on every one of his social media page posts whether or not he’s speaking in a personal or official capacity when discussing city matters.”
Well isn’t that wonderful… He is opening the door so that both he AND the City of Anderson can be targeted with a lawsuit.
That is someone who cares about their constituents all right. He’s going to cost his constituents their tax money defending in a lawsuit when it could be spent better somewhere else.
Thank you for really thinking it through Mr Hale!!
I find it interesting that you can’t use your real name but you can sure try to voice your opinion about “Mr. Hale”
Have you come to conclusions by reading this article? Or did you actually do any research on your own? Are you yourself actually “thinking it through“?
Are you a critical thinker or are you a sheep? Clearly, you’re not secure enough to use your own name.
Oh noes, I am insecure because a random person on the internet is whiny that I use a moniker and not my “real” name.
Quick……I must fix that!
…uh, not!
And damn right I will voice my opinion of Mr Hale who will be costing the taxpayers money when there’s a lawsuit.
And you know what, if you have done research and you have proof of his allegations, then post it. Go ahead and link it. We’re all waiting.
Any little bit of proof at all…unless of course you are just regurgitating the nonsense that you heard from someone else who can’t back it up.
So until then, yes this sheep will challenge Mr Hale’s assertion and not just blindly believe it.
Bahhhhhh!!! 🤣
And by the way “Jennifer”, just because YOU don’t know who I am doesn’t mean there aren’t other people on here who know who I am. 😀
Hahaha…
Jennifer, aside from the personal attacks, do you actually have any proof to substantiate these claims?
You do know that in order for there to be a “legit investigation” there actually has to be some type of probable cause or evidence? Otherwise it’s just a witch hunt because of some people’s paranoia…
Just sayin’…
Think about it.
Jennifer, surely you must realize that certain persons who comment on social media do feel the concern and fear of retaliation to their self or property. I have had my tire punctured by a person, who I know from the so-called MAGA side of politics. His name was turned over to the RPD, but without concrete proof, photo or admission, one can’t easily proceed. But, I know who you are Mr. Tire puncturer.
I hope IASCO has access to good lawyers. Going after the City of Anderson and this irresponsible council member would be a good result.