Saturday, December 13, 2008

Pennsylvania Couple Charged With Embezzling $220K From Columbia University

John Bzdil III, 34, the former manager of Columbia University's Pediatric Neurosciences Department of the Neurological Institute, and his wife, Heather Brooke Rinehart, 28, were charged Thursday with embezzling some $220,000 from the institution. The couple, who are from Allentown, Pennsylvania, are alleged to have been reimbursed for studies that were not conducted and used institute credit cards to purchase personal goods and pay for their wedding, among other things. They are each charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. If convicted, they face up to 40 years in prison, plus fines of up to $250,000 and restitution. According to prosecutors, the scheme occurred during the first half of 2007.

Read the story here, here and here.


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