PORTLAND, Ore. - KATU News has uncovered new evidence about a Portland business man linked to the so-called 'torture jet,' evidence that raises questions about whether the man exists at all.

Human rights groups say the CIA used a jet, a Gulfstream V, registered in Oregon to transport terror suspects to countries that allow torture, but trying to track down the mysterious jet has proved tough.

The company that the jet is registered to, Bayard Foreign Marketing, does not seem to exist and neither does the listed owner, Leonard T. Bayard.

In two documents obtained by KATU News, the signatures of Leonard T. Bayard look very different.  One of the documents is the 2004 Annual Report filed with Oregon's Secretary of State office.  The other document is a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration to transfer ownership.

Michael Munk, a retired Portland political science professor and anti-torture advocate said you do not need a handwriting expert to figure out that something is fishy.

"I'm sure that anyone wanting to make their case in court would need one," he said.  "But I think everyone can make up their own minds without that expertise."

Munk is also the person who initiated an investigation by the Oregon State Bar Association that is trying to determine if a Portland lawyer violated ethics laws by registering Bayard Foreign Marketing in a false name.

That lawyer has told the bar association that attorney-client privilege precludes him from saying anything about his client, Leonard T. Bayard.

However, according to the Oregon State Bar Association, Bayard's identity is not protected and their investigation is continuing.

Bayard's company has a Portland phone number.  KATU News has called half a dozen times over the past few weeks, but has not been able to reach him.  Instead we get an answering service.