This is exactly what I expected was the case, that Wirth was a fraudster/huckster/conniver. The only surprises are that Dr. Cha has left his position at Columbia University and is currently incommunicado, and that Wirth is not only a huckster of the supernatural, but also a simple criminal who commits arson and fraud.
I feel sorry for Wirth's co-authors, Cha and Lobo. As James Randi has often said, the most guillible people in the world are often scientists because they're not expecting people to lie and cheat.
--Percy