An auditor named RSM wrapped up an investigation on Howard University in May 2017 and the results were not good. Between 2006 and 2017, six employees at the HBCU were found to have embezzled university funds and were subsequently fired for “gross misconduct and neglect of duties” as told to The Washington Post by school officials.
The school’s president, Wayne A.I. Frederick commented, “While this has been a very difficult and disappointing situation, I know our campus community deserves better and I am committed to ensuring that each of our campus offices operate with integrity and are the best that higher education has to offer.” A Howard University spokeswoman added via e-mail, “We don’t have a final amount but we are working with our outside experts to ensure every dollar is accounted for and the university will exercise all of our options to recoup the funds.”
The fired employees were receiving tuition benefits to cover the cost of taking courses while simultaneously receiving university grants. The amount the employees were receiving was more than the cost of attendance thus constituting the employees gaining illegal funding.
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President Frederick reported the findings by RSM to the Department of Education in May 2017 according to The Washington Post.
He also resolved to implement stringent policies to present this incident from occurring again.
“We will refer this matter for criminal prosecution, as appropriate,” a statement by Frederick said.
A Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson confirmed that the institution had not initiated an investigation nor contacted law enforcement about the findings.
The names of the accused employees have not been released.
The university has come under fire in recent years being plagued with mishandling sexual assault allegations and has had to change financial aid policies due to uncollected tuition equaling $22 million.
