Bureaucrats always play to our naivete, innocence, and the basic concept of trying to do what's right as you did.  I run into these types in all levels of school administration, the DMV (well ANY government office), customer service (especially in the financial industry), building contractors/sub contractors, etc.  They will say almost anything to make you go away regardless of what is correct, incorrect and right or wrong.  Unfortunately, it is part of our maturation process.  Thank the stars the young have the internet now to check on these people.