Worcester veterans services director out amid dispute over academic credentials

Kinga Borondy, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Sat, January 17, 2026 at 12:32 AM UTC

2 min read

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WORCESTER – Joseph F. Robinson, hired as Worcester's Veterans Services Division director in 2023, is denying the city's stance that he has resigned from his post, while acknowledging that his academic credentials are a point of contention.

Robinson says officials gave him an option to resign or be terminated by Tuesday, Jan. 20.

The city, Robinson said, claims he misrepresented his academic achievements at the time he was hired. Robinson uses the honorific of doctor when he introduces himself and in his communications with the public, but he has not completed the requirements to earn a doctorate.

The city offered a brief statement through its spokesman, indicating that Robinson had resigned but declining to comment further. “Beyond that the municipality doesn’t comment on personnel matters,” said Tom Matthews, city spokesman.

“I have not resigned,” Robinson told the Telegram & Gazette.

Robinson said he indicated to the city when he was hired that he was in the process of writing his doctoral dissertation and had completed all the necessary coursework for that degree at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

“I told the city when they hired me,” Robinson said.

When the city announced that Robinson had been hired, the press release stated that he had earned a Ph.D. in executive leadership from Liberty.

Officials at Liberty could not immediately be reached.

Robinson said the job description for the position did not list a doctorate degree as a requirement.

“I did not misrepresent myself; I completed the classes, there is no state or federal law against the use of the title,” Robinson said.

Robinson, who is in the process of getting divorced from his wife, speculated that his ouster was the result of her attempts to call his achievements into question.

A former Marine who retired with a 60% disability, Robinson came to the city through the recommendation of its former veterans services director. He had lived experience and had also taken advantage of benefits offered through the office.

At the time, Mayor Joseph Petty called him “the right man for the job.”

“Dr. Robinson will lead our Veterans Service Division with empathy, compassion and a fierce advocacy for veterans,” City Manager Eric D. Batista said in the press release announcing Robinson's hire. “With more than 20 years of experience of providing veterans services, Dr. Robinson knows firsthand the needs and challenges our veterans face on a daily basis. We are excited for him to take on this position and serve the City of Worcester.”

According to the city payroll records, he made $85,509 in 2024.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester veteran services director out amid dispute over credentials

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