An investigation into financial irregularities at Seton Hall Law uncovered a “series” of embezzlement schemes that cost the University nearly a million dollars, the chair of the Board of Regents said Wednesday.
The investigation did not publicly name the administrators implicated or any details of the schemes, instead accusing “a small number of trusted, long-time employees” of the school.
“Over the course of several years, these employees misappropriated funds of the school in excess of $975,000,” Board chair Kevin Marino’s statement said. “The improper activities connected with these individuals have been uncovered and documented.”
The review, conducted by the University and third-party auditors, revealed no irregularities outside the Law School, according to University spokesperson Laurie Pine.
Marino congratulated departing Dean Kathleen Boozang for accepting a position as a visiting scholar at Harvard for the spring semester. She is expected to return to Seton Hall as a faculty member in the summer.
The schemes, Marino said, do not reflect the ethics of Seton Hall Law or its graduates.
“Seton Hall Law has long provided the state and national legal communities with well-trained attorneys, grounded in ethical principles that form the foundation of a Seton Hall education,” the statement said. “Our graduates have found success at the highest levels of government, corporate and nonprofit work.”
In a letter to the Seton Hall Law community, interim Dean Kip Cornwell said the school could now focus on building its reputation.
“In this special time of year, we can look forward to brighter days while remaining grounded in the principles on which Seton Hall Law was established 71 years ago,” Cornwell said.
Marino and Pine said the University would comply with any further investigations into the schemes.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.
Daniel O’Connor can be reached at daniel.oconnor1@student.shu.edu. Find him on Twitter @itsDanOConnor.
