Alexandria School Board candidate Scott Gordon lied about holding a PhD in psychology in a questionnaire he submitted to the Alexandria Political Action Committee for Education.

The PAC endorsed Gordon’s candidacy in District A last week. He posted the completed questionnaire on his campaign website.

In a June 27 conversation with Patch, Gordon said he recently earned a doctorate in Industrial and Organization Psychology from Virginia Tech at a satellite campus in Arlington County.

A representative from Virginia Tech’s Department of Psychology said Monday there is no record of Gordon attending the school. Another representative from Virginia Tech told Patch that the Psychology Department has no offices in Arlington.

When asked for comment, Gordon said in statement: “In a moment of weakness, perhaps just a normal, low self-esteem, desire to inflate your accomplishments, I suggested I had already earned my doctorate. That being said, I abhor people who refuse to hold themselves accountable for their actions. I’m human, I made a human mistake and I feel pretty bad about it. Did I misrepresent myself a tad? Yes.”

Gordon said he plans on pursuing a PhD and will continue his campaign for School Board. He affirmed his undergraduate degree from Marylhurst University in Lake Oswego, Ore., and his master’s from Lynchburg (Va.) College. 

In March, Gordon abruptly resigned from the race for City Council as a Republican candidate citing a family illness issue. He also resigned from the Alexandria Republican City Committee in protest of its support of Councilwoman Alicia Hughes. He then endorsed Democrat Sean Holihan.

The Del Ray resident entered the School Board race just before the June 12 deadline to file for candidacy. He is one of seven candidates running for three spots in District A.