Screen shot from Video at WDRB Fox 41:After a six month investigation involving hundreds of pages of evidence, Robert Felner was indicted on charges of fraud, embezzlement and tax evasion. Close friend and co-conspirator Thomas Schroeder of Illinois was also indicted.
Felner appeared at the Mazzoli Federal Building to turn himself in to agents from the Secret Service one of several agencies which investigated Felner's alleged misuse of tax dollars and federal grants while serving as the Dean of Education at the University of Louisville and the University of Rhode Island.
Felner was perp-walked to court in handcuffs.
He appeared briefly this afternoon before a Federal Judge where he entered a plea of not guilty on all counts.
Felner was released on a $100,000 bond after surrendering his passport.
Yesterday's indictments charge Felner with pocketing $1.7-million that belonged to the University of Rhode Island and taking more than $500,000 in federal grant money that should have gone to U of L.
Meanwhile across town, UofL President James Ramsey was announcing $11.6-million dollars in grants received by UofL medical researchers to study and treat diabetes and obesity.
Stung by the Felner affair Ramsey proclaimed, "There are great things happening at the University. He told Fox News the school would better monitor grant money and would listen to staff complaints - a direct reference to criticism that he and Provost Shirley Willihnganz ignored 33 complaints including four formal grievances and against Felner while he was dean of the College of Education and Human Development.
"This has been a difficult experience. We're gonna learn all that we can from it to make the University more focused and strong going forward," said Ramsey.
Raw Video At WHAS.
Big hat tip to Page One Kentucky.
