The outspoken Kent State University professor under FBI investigation for alleged ties to the Islamic State said on Thursday that his social media profiles have been “misrepresented.”
Asked at an impromptu news conference if he sympathizes with the Islamic State, associate history professor Julio Pino responded: “Absolutely not.”
Pino responded similarly to a Beacon Journal reporter on Tuesday evening, when news broke that the FBI was investigating.
Despite consistently denying ties to ISIS, Pino’s social media profiles are littered with comments that may be perceived by some to be pro ISIS.
In one photo, a pair of what appear to be masked insurgents wield assault rifles while riding trucks through a desert. A comment by Pino on the photo reads: “Keep it a secret: that’s me on the left!”
In a photo of Pino posing in front of Capitol Hill, Pino comments: “I come to bury D.C., not to praise it.”
At the news conference, Pino, 55, said he made the social media comments in an attempt to be entertaining. He said his comments were an expression of his rights to free speech and have been “misrepresented.”
“That’s what living in a free country is all about,” he said.
Pino’s conference, which was recorded and published by KentWired.com, was cut short after Pino grew agitated by reporter questions.
The conference was held just days after the FBI investigation drew attention from national media.
In the wake of attention, the public has called for Pino’s firing and resignation — but Pino said at the conference that he has no intention of resigning. Legal experts told the Beacon Journal on Wednesday that because he has tenure, Pino can’t be fired — unless he’s convicted of committing a crime.
Experts said the FBI is likely looking into whether Pino, who has a history of opposition to Israel and the American government’s handling of Middle Eastern politics, has “materially” supported the Islamic State. Speech in support of the radical religious organization would not qualify as material support, experts said. The FBI would have to prove Pino provided monetary support or military recruits to ISIS.
Pino told journalists he has nothing to hide.
“I wish to state for the record that none of these allegations have any foundation whatsoever. I have no ties to any political organization either here in the United States or abroad,” said Pino, a Cuban-born Islamic convert. “I have never discussed the politics of Islam, the Islamic State or any other political organization with the students, with the faculty or with anyone else on campus.
“I do not endorse violence, I do not advocate violence, nor do I practice it,” he said. “I’ve always tried to fulfill my duties, which are to my family, this community, this university and quite obviously to my students, and I shall do so as long as possible.”
According to his personnel record, which was obtained Thursday by the Beacon Journal through a public records request, Pino was hired as an assistant professor in 1992, a year after he obtained a doctorate degree in history from the University of California at Los Angeles. Letters from colleagues dated late 1991 commended his professionalism and intellect; one colleague described him as a “born teacher.” He was promoted to associate professor in 1998.
Pino converted to Islam in 2000, and controversies surrounding him started shortly afterward. In 2002, Pino eulogized an 18-year-old suicide bomber. In 2005 and 2006, he publicly criticized American policy in the Middle East. In 2009, the U.S. Secret Service acknowledged that it was investigating Pino “as an individual who came to our attention who needed to be interviewed.”
In 2011, he shouted “Death to Israel!” at a lecture by a former Israeli diplomat. In 2014, he accused academics of causing 1,400 Palestinian deaths.
Pino made $79,703 salary in 2015, according to his file.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ.