NYC college staffer charged in $409K phony-receipt scam; prosecutors say receipts from trash
By APWednesday, December 23, 2009
NYC college staffer charged in phony-receipt scam
NEW YORK — Prosecutors say a former New York University staffer passed off thousands of receipts mined from a liquor store’s trash as spending on lab supplies and college events, finagling $409,000 in bogus reimbursements.
The receipts were marked with the wine shop’s name, authorities say, but the tactic apparently went unnoticed for about six years. Wednesday, John Runowicz (RUN’-oh-wihts) was released without bail after pleading not guilty to charges including grand larceny.
Manhattan prosecutors say the now-fired chemistry department administrator submitted more than 13,000 bogus receipts for repayment. The university says it is “deeply disappointed” with the alleged conduct of the former staffer.
