Former College Officials Charged with Stealing School Funds: $28K Misused
Two former officials of Eastern Gateway Community College in Steubenville, Ohio, are facing charges for allegedly stealing funds from the institution. James Miller, the former vice president and chief of staff, and Jimmie Bruce, the former president, have been indicted on multiple charges, including grand theft, theft in office, telecommunications fraud, having an unlawful interest in a public contract, and misuse of credit cards. The charges were brought forward by a Jefferson County grand jury.
The alleged misuse of funds came to light during a routine audit of the college’s financial activities for the fiscal years 2018 and 2019. The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit discovered that Miller and Bruce had been using college credit cards for personal purchases unrelated to school operations. In total, 205 credit card transactions were found, amounting to over $28,757, which were determined to be unauthorized.
The accused officials are expected to be arraigned on August 23 in Jefferson County Common Pleas Court. If found guilty, they could face severe penalties for their actions.
Eastern Gateway Community College administrators are committed to maintaining the highest levels of integrity and ethics. The college fully cooperated with the investigation, initiating appropriate measures to address the alleged misconduct. Steps have been taken to ensure that incidents like these do not happen again, and the institution is implementing stricter financial oversight protocols.
The charges against Miller and Bruce serve as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in educational institutions. Misappropriation of funds undermines the credibility of the entire education system and impacts students’ access to quality education.
The authorities are dedicated to identifying and preventing such cases of financial misconduct. They aim to safeguard public funds and maintain the trust placed in educational institutions. The case will now proceed to court, where justice will be sought for the alleged misuse of school funds.
This incident serves as a wake-up call for schools and colleges to strengthen their internal controls and financial management systems. Regular audits and robust oversight mechanisms can help prevent and detect any financial irregularities early on.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Eastern Gateway Community College remains committed to providing students with a safe and conducive learning environment. The college assures the public that it will work diligently to restore trust and maintain the highest standards of accountability and transparency moving forward.
The outcome of this case will have a significant impact on how educational institutions handle their finances and reinforce the importance of maintaining the integrity of public funds for the benefit of students and the wider community.
