[Message From The President - Baruch College]

February 14, 2017

Arrest of Former Baruch Employee for Embezzlement

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students:

Today, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York arrested a former Baruch College employee, Machli Joseph, on charges of embezzlement. While employed at the College, it is alleged that he diverted approximately $600,000 in funds that were intended for the College. I am disturbed by this betrayal of trust, and will take further steps to improve oversight.

We are disappointed that an employee would allegedly perpetrate a criminal theft of financial resources that are so critical to our students' success. We support the U.S. Attorney's intention to prosecute this case to the full extent allowed by law.

Baruch has cooperated with the New York State Inspector General's investigation that led to the charges from the U.S. Attorney's office. We appreciate the diligence that led to the discovery of this malfeasance, and we intend to continue to offer our cooperation.

Mr. Joseph was employed by the Baruch Athletics Department between 2002 and 2016, first as Women's Basketball Coach and later as Assistant Athletics Director. Beginning in 2015, Baruch started a significant reorganization of the Athletics Department to improve its monitoring, control, and rules of enforcement. Among the changes that have been made:

*        Revamped the role of Athletics Director. The revised position has substantially more responsibility to assure compliance by coaches and other staff with external and internal rules and procedures.

*        As part of these efforts, Mr. Joseph was moved from the Athletics Department in November 2015, and he resigned from the College in October of 2016.

*        Appointed a new Faculty Athletics Representative who is an authority on sports law.

*        Established an Athletics Compliance Team with oversight regarding all of Baruch's athletic programs and compliance under the leadership of the College's legal counsel.

Baruch will continue to cooperate with all investigative and law enforcement agencies regarding this matter, which violates all of our standards and values.

Dr. Mitchel B. Wallerstein
President, Baruch College


[footerlogo]



<>

If you wish to unsubscribe from the BARUCH-STUDENTS-ANNOUNCEMENTS List, please send an E-mail to:
"[log in to unmask]".  Within the body of the text, only write the following:
"SIGNOFF BARUCH-STUDENTS-ANNOUNCEMENTS".