NCCU audit shows suspected embezzlement

North Carolina Central University's chancellor has turned over findings of an internal audit that shows evidence of possible embezzlement to state, he said in a news release Thursday.

Posted 9:29 p.m. Apr 1, 2010 — Updated 9:29 p.m. Apr 1, 2010

DURHAM, N.C. — North Carolina Central University's chancellor has turned over findings of an internal audit that shows evidence of possible embezzlement to state, he said in a news release Thursday.

The university's investigation found evidence to suggest that federal, state and private funding allocated to the university's Historically Minority Colleges and Universities Consortium were embezzled into the personal bank account of the program's former executive director.

"In addition to the private account, the internal audit team has been unable to determine the appropriateness of many of the expenditures made from both university and foundation accounts maintained by HMCUC, which may also evidence improper conduct," Chancellor Charlie Nelms wrote in a March 29 letter to the State Bureau of Investigation.

NCCU serves as the fiscal agent for the state-mandated consortium of historically minority-serving universities. In the past decade, the foundation has received more than $13 million.

Nelms did not specify how much money may be in question.

"I am determined to see this complicated network of accounts and transactions untangled," he said in Thursday's statement. "I believe my referral to these better-resourced state agencies will ensure that full discovery and prosecution, if warranted, takes place."

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