Portland State University’s Failed Donor Has History of Unfulfilled Promises

The self-styled supercomputer visionary who secretly pledged $100 million to Portland State University has been spinning grandiose tales of success to public officials, industry insiders and prospective investors for two decades.

But an analysis of public documents left in John Michael Fitzpatrick’s wake, from Boardman, Ore., to Washington, D.C., turns up no evidence of the wealth he promised to bequeath.

What it does show is a high-tech mirage, preceded by a string of unsuccessful forays into politics, free-speech advocacy, offshore finance, consulting, insurance and a check-cashing business.