The James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) awarded the Pigasus Award to prominent psychics and mediums who were found to use deceptive practices. The award, named after the flying pig (suggesting that pigs will fly when psychics are proven real), highlighted cases of fraud and misleading claims in the psychic industry.
Theresa Caputo, known as the "Long Island Medium," gained fame through her reality television show on TLC. She claims to communicate with deceased loved ones and has built a successful career around her alleged psychic abilities. [2]
In 2012, Caputo received a Pigasus Award from the JREF for "performance." The award highlighted concerns about her methods and the potential for exploiting grieving individuals. [1, 2]
Critics have raised concerns about Caputo's methods, but these remain unverified allegations:
Key distinction: Unlike Chip Coffey's case below, no controlled test has verified these claims about Caputo. The allegations remain unproven.
Unlike John Edward, who has participated in decades of controlled studies, Caputo has never participated in controlled scientific testing. This refusal is a common characteristic of psychics whose abilities may not withstand scrutiny.
Chip Coffey is a self-proclaimed psychic and medium who gained fame through television appearances and personal appearances. [3]
Paranormal State: Coffey was a frequent guest/psychic on the A&E reality series Paranormal State (2007-2011), appearing in 31 episodes across seasons 1-4. [3]
Coffey received the Pigasus Award multiple times:
Unlike John Edward (who participated in testing), Coffey never submitted to controlled scientific scrutiny.
Coffey's techniques have been analyzed by skeptics:
The controlled test (planting fictitious dead family members with his staff) demonstrated these techniques in action.
This is one of the few cases with actual documented evidence of deception:
This was a controlled test—not just allegations—that directly contradicted any claim of genuine psychic ability.
Other television psychics who have received Pigasus Awards include:
The Pigasus Awards covered multiple categories:
| Psychic | Tested? | Results | Pigasus? | Evidence of Deception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Edward | Yes | 83% accuracy in controlled studies | No | None - passed tests |
| Theresa Caputo | No | Refused testing | Yes (2012) | Unverified allegations only |
| Chip Coffey | No | Failed skeptic investigation | Yes (2009) | Controlled test proof |
Genuine scientific testing involves:
The primary technique skeptics claim psychics use is cold reading—making general statements that could apply to many people, then using feedback to refine guesses.
Key elements of cold reading:
What's the difference between proven evidence and unverified allegations?
| Case | Evidence Type | Verified? |
|---|---|---|
| Chip Coffey | Controlled test with planted fictitious names | Yes - demonstrated cold-reading |
| Theresa Caputo | Allegations of pre-show research, hot reading | No - unverified claims |
The Coffey case is significant because it's one of the few psychic investigations with actual controlled test evidence rather than just speculation or allegations.
Despite their controversies (or in John Edward's case, despite his scientific testing), all three psychics remain active in 2024-2025:
See also: John Edward: Scientific Evidence for Mediumship
Long Island Medium: Complete Seasons (2009-2019)
Kindred Spirits (2020-present)
Despite the legitimate work of some psychic practitioners, fraud remains a serious problem in the industry. Several high-profile cases have emerged in recent years:
Gina Marks & Steve Nicklas were charged with stealing over $600,000 from two clients through their business "Jenkins Psychic Visions." [7]
Jennifer Williams pleaded guilty to operating a "curse removal" scheme. [8]
Deborah Govender was ordered by the High Court to pay back R5.5 million (~$300,000). [9]
Gina Rita Russell was sentenced to 125 months (10+ years) in federal prison. [10]
These cases share disturbing patterns:
These fraud cases highlight why legitimate psychics like John Edward support scientific testing—it helps distinguish genuine practitioners from those who exploit vulnerable people.
The difference between scientifically tested psychics like John Edward and those who refuse testing (like Caputo and Coffey) is significant. While Edward has participated in decades of controlled studies producing remarkable results, Caputo and Coffey have either refused testing or been caught using deceptive techniques.
John Edward was not left alone — he faced the same types of criticism: [4]
See John Edward: Scientific Evidence for Mediumship for detailed criticism section.
His response set him apart: Unlike Uri Geller (who sued critics), Edward never filed defamation lawsuits. Instead, he pointed to his willingness to participate in controlled scientific testing — and he passed those tests.
The Pigasus Awards served an important function in highlighting these discrepancies and holding psychics accountable. Whether through refusal to test, failed investigations, or documented deception, the pattern is clear: those with genuine abilities should be willing to submit to scientific scrutiny.
[1] James Randi Educational Foundation - Pigasus Awards
[2] Skeptical Inquirer - Theresa Caputo: The Fake Long Island Medium
[5] Lifetime - Theresa Caputo: Raising Spirits
[6] Chip Coffey Official Website
[7] Philadelphia Inquirer - Jenkintown fortune teller charged with stealing $600K
[8] CWB Chicago - Lakeview psychic pleads guilty
[9] Times Live - Psychic ordered to pay back R5.5m
[10] WGXA - Woman sentenced for scam claiming psychic powers
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