There are two ways to deal with technical issues:

My wife and I argue about the sanity of spending more than we make
on an ongoing basis. It's just arithmetic, nothing to take personally, but
she does. She gets angry when the consequences come down on us, as
I predicted, claiming that I made it happen. So even when I'm right,
I am wrong. Very frustrating to argue math on an emotional basis: it
 really drains all of us. I get it.

On the other hand:

My best bud, while collaborating on a technology project, would sometimes
forget that I am the  supreme IT wizard. He would challenge my judgement
and decisions, but instead of fighting and taking it personally, we would just
bet dinner over the outcome. We were both on the same side, seeking
the "rightness" of everything without regard for who was right and who was
wrong.  Its just what we do: we want to get to the bottom of things. Nothing
personal. As an added bonus, our collective "Kung-Fu" is enhanced in the
process. We all win.

Real concerns were raised, but not addressed in a reasonble way. What if a
real wolf attacks? Are we intellectually prepared to defend our stake or
 intimidated because we need the hash to tackle the ever increasing Difficulty.
 We have learned nothing from this experience. This leaves us spintered and
vulnerable.

This little episode has made me question the integrity of my little farm.
When my equipment stats are not consistent with the pool, I get all paranoid,
but I don't challenge the good Doctor as others in the pool have. Nevertheless,
 Paranoia set in: what if the seller had installed a "customized" build of cgminer
 to siphon off some of my hash. Wire Shark city. I still haven't found the problem,
 but it gnaws at me. I'll eventually understand why, but until then I just have to
 keep on going until the truth of the matter reveals itself in an unceremonious "Oh"
 or "Doh" moment.

Sad situation. Shoulda just left him alone until we knew with a greater
level of confidence that something was wrong.

In his shoes:

I would owe it to the pool to stick it out until doubt gives way to certainty.

It was not going to take that much longer to figure this out.

Since the pool had been very generous to me, I would stick around and
return the favor. Otherwise, I would be sharing a bounty that I did not earn.

If vindicated, troublemakers would have to eat some serious crow, lose their
credibility and forum privileges.

If not, I would owe the pool.

Of course, "Thats just my opinion; I could be wrong."

I hope he\they  return. The current questions will, by direct experience, be answered.

We will then know for a certainty that the good GREAT Doctor is absolutely correct in his analysis.

Too bad we have to learn the hard way. Sure, I like a bigger piece, but pie will be smaller now. Smaller rewards, more frequently,
is more encouraging for me, though.