Opinion | When a name causes harm

When a name causes harm
By Pauline Joe

Editor’s note: Pauline Joe is the president of Accounting PAEs LLC (acountingpaes.com). She is located in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

This letter addresses the understandable confusion and anxiety arising from the May 23, 2019, Navajo Times article titled “AUDIT: Former Pueblo Pintado AMS Misspent $144,000” by Rima Krisst and Cindy Yurth. The primary source of this concern is the article’s mention of a “Pauline Joe” without sufficient distinguishing information to differentiate her from other individuals sharing the same name.

The Pauline Joe referenced in your article is reported to have been working at Tse’ Yi Gai High School since 2019 and residing in Cuba, New Mexico. The article further notes that this individual at Pueblo Pintado Chapter was described by a chapter staff member as having a Native American accent and being approximately 59 years old at the time of publication. Based on that timeframe, she would be approximately 65 years old now.

The lack of specific identifiers in the Navajo Times article has unfortunately led to confusion – which Pauline Joe. Research on social media and professional networking sites like LinkedIn indicates that there are an estimated 20 individuals named Pauline Joe worldwide. Of these, six are of Native American descent, with two confirmed to reside in Arizona and three in New Mexico when the article was published. For the sake of clarity, I want to emphasize that five of these six Pauline Joes, me included, have ever been employed by the Pueblo Pintado Chapter or Tse’ Yi Gai High School, other than the 65-year-old individual implicated in the audit.

The omission of readily available identifiers (i.e., middle name, eye color, or height) has unfortunately fueled the misconception that any one of us might have been involved in the alleged embezzlement. This has resulted in undue harm, including damage to reputation, emotional distress, and social defamation through gossip, rumors, and the spread of false and damaging content. Furthermore, these misconceptions have had financial repercussions. For instance, I have personally experienced suspicious looks, wary inquiries, and have had to create a personal file to defend my character. My professional and business relationships have suffered to the point of potentially requiring costly legal action to rectify the damage.

To fully grasp the necessary context, the May 23, 2019, Navajo Times article stated: “An audit of Pueblo Pintado Chapter’s finances last June revealed the former accounts maintenance specialist, Pauline Joe, blew through $144,000 in chapter monies over five years on unnecessary office supplies …. In return, Joe received ‘promotional rebate checks’ from the vendors …. ‘The more she would buy, the more she would get in rebates,’ said B&F Vice Chairman Raymond Smith. Joe, reached at her new job at Tse’ Yi Gai High School, said, ‘It was the companies that got me in trouble.'”

To prevent further negative consequences and to rectify this same name oversight, I felt it was crucial to write this letter. My aim is not only to clearly distinguish my identity but also to protect the reputation and acknowledge the distress experienced by other Pauline Joes and individuals who share the same name.

While those who do not share this experience may not fully grasp the significance of this issue, it is important to understand the very real challenges we face. It is not an exaggeration to say that we can suffer from stolen identities, damaged credit due to fraudulent purchases or loans, and even receive traffic tickets for places we have never been. These incidents have occurred, and on multiple occasions, simply because we share a name with someone who has acted unlawfully or unethically.

Personally, I do not fault the Navajo Times for the initial lack of specificity, as human error is understandable, and thank you for your offer to have my letter printed online and in print. Lastly, I sincerely hope this letter served its purpose: to clarify and empathize. I encourage your readers to exercise caution before forming opinions based solely on a name and advise seeking clarification and avoiding the creation or spread of unsubstantiated information.