The IG’s official request for documents covered a span from 2005 to 2006 (these dates are critically important to understand why he was placed on leave).
The question that begs an answer is “What and who the focus of this investigation was?” In the last weeks, we have seen the level of retaliation this chair and IP can levee against employees or trustees, i.e., R. B. Holmes for stepping out of line. No wonder the IG tried to protect his source.
| Financial Statements submitted to Auditor General | September 2005 |
| Audit Committee Meeting (Chair, Pamela Duncan) | October 3, 2005 |
| October 6, 2005 | |
| Documentation/Information requests from Auditor General's Office | November ‘05 |
| Board of Trustees Full Board Meeting 1. Overall Leadership (read the headlines) *Not sure of the basis of the additional $50,000 | December 1, 2006 |
| Requested supporting documentation (journal entries, etc.) due to Auditor General Office | December 2, 2005 |
| Requested supporting documentation (journal entries, etc.) due to Auditor General Office | January 2006 |
| Requested supporting documentation (journal entries, etc.) due to Auditor General Office | February 2006 |
| Universities Audit published for public review [F.S. 11.45 (4)(a)(e)] | March 2006 |
| Email from Auditor General Office to Gerald Dunn RE: transmitting unaudited financial statements, etc. | April 2006 |
| FAMU Audit Committee & Staff met with Auditor General’s Office RE: missing documents/information | May 10, 2006 |
| Letter to Castell Bryant from Ted Sauerbeck requesting missing documents/information (link to letter) | May 11, 2006 |
| Audit Committee Meeting | June 1, 2006 |
| Recommended Action: June 6, 2005 assigned as miscellaneous investigation; to be investigated by IG, Asst. IG and Larry Tromly, Chief Investigator | June 6, 2006 |
| Complainant Intake Form Filed alleging: “various senior administrators violated the University Code of Conduct, as provided by University Regulation 5C3-1.019 (2) whereas, “As members of the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (University) community, all faculty, staff, students, members of the Board of Trustees, University Officers and affiliates are responsible for sustaining the highest ethical standards of professional conduct and integrity for this institution, and for the broader community in which we function….Members also have an obligation to report any noncompliance of regulations that are observed/” Specifically: (a) Senior Administrators knowingly provided false representation regarding the University’s financial statements on Thursday, June 1. 2006 during a Board of Trustees Audit Committee meeting. (b) Senior Administrators colluded to maintain a veil of secrecy regarding the University’s financial condition. Name of Subject of Complaint: Various Senior Administrators Position Title: Various Senior Administrators Complainant Classified as a Whistle-Blower (F.S. 112.3187) | June 8, 2006 |
| Email between Auditor Office and FAMU Re: missing/hidden financial statements Individuals Involved: Castelll Bryant (Interim President) Gerald Dunn (CFO) Rufus Little (VP Audit/Compliance) Pam Duncan (Chair, Audit Comm) R. B. Holmes Corey Alston | June 7, 2006 |
| IG requests the following documents from Castell & Company: | June 9, 2006 |
| Email goes out to Audit Committee RE: financial statements | June 14, 2006 |
| Castell & Rufus Little meet with the IG *Please note this was the initial stage of what could have become a full investigation of various senior administrators. | June 14, 2006 |
| Series of phone calls made by Rufus Little – damage control to make sure audit committee members are okay | June 14-15, 2006 |
| Castell Bryant calls a meeting with the key principles to discuss the meeting with the IG, and the reasoning behind the documents requested by IG | |
| Letter to Challis Lowe from NAA President Bryant re: FAMU’s late financial audit | June 15, 2006 |
| IG placed on administrative leave & Issued Trespassing Warrant | June 15, 2006 |
| Larry Tromly named Acting IG | June 15, 2006 |
| IG's attorney speaks out on FAM-GATE at Press Conference June 28, 2006 | June 28 - present |
this is mind-boggling........
ReplyDeleteThe SC say this investigation is dead just like Mike Brown job. Castell can't let him come back cause she can't trust him. He gotta go.
ReplyDeleteSo what about the serious allegations? If Michael Brown conducted the investigation improper, that don't nullify the serious infractions by senior officials. How do we let her get away with this?
ReplyDeleteThe streetcommittee is probably correct.
ReplyDeleteBut can any of us trust Castell?
She was wrong about the surplus!
She was wrong to take that bonus and raise !
She is likely wrong about this too !
The streetcommittee probably also know why she can't let this investigation go forward. Huge implications and improprities and no one wants to go down, especially after calling the past administrations corrupt and all.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Corbin still got more juice with the Jeb than Holmes.
The June 1 and June 14 Audit Committee meetings are critical meetings. Both Holmes and Alston were at the June1 meeting; but they were absent from the June 14 meeting that Castell called to discuss the IG’s investigation. I believe Alston is the whistleblower and Holmes is supporting him; and that is the reason Castell had him removed from the board and demoted Holmes. Castell may not restore Brown as interim IG, but the seriousness of Brown’s charges will force an independent investigation of those charges. If the FAMU BOT doesn’t do it, the governor will be forced to do.
ReplyDeleteWell from what I gather Castell was mad because the IG didnt follow procedures. When you are investigating someone you are supposed to tell them you are investigating them and since he was investigating Castell he didnt tell her. She got mad lol Oh and I also heard that the bonus wasnt $35,000 it was $85,000 (includes her staff)
ReplyDeleteHER STAFF GOT A BONUS TOO!! DAMN!! WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE FAMU EMPLOYEES DID THEY GET A BONUS!
ReplyDelete"Specifically: (a) Senior Administrators knowingly provided false representation regarding the University’s financial statements on Thursday, June 1. 2006 during a Board of Trustees Audit Committee meeting. (b) Senior Administrators colluded to maintain a veil of secrecy regarding the University’s financial condition."
ReplyDeleteMy question is...how can anyone be surprised about the Bryant administration providing false information to the public?
Remember when Bryant claimed that Phyllis Gray-Ray's exit was a "joint decision?" That was proven false when the termination letter surfaced.
Remember when Bryant claimed that the NCAA report was not public information? That was proven false when a judged ruled in favor of Billy Joe's public records lawsuit.
Remember when Bryant claimed that the names of 40+ terminated employees were not public information? That was proven false when state newspapers prevailed in their public records challenges.
Remember when Bryant said that Fred Gainous, Larry Robinson and Fred Humphries were subjects of a federal investigation? That too is false. They were subpoenaed for WITNESS testimony. Furthermore, Bryant conveniently ommitted the fact that Bill Jennings (one of her biggest BOT supporters) was subpoenaed too.
Remember when Bryant said she was committed to bringing in more research grants? That was proven false when she slashed the research division's budget in half. Research grants are now down by the multi-millions.
My question is...why is anyone shocked about Bryant providing false information about FAMU's finances. It's not like this is the first time she has been caught in a public lie.
Isn't it interesting that Bill Jennings missed the last BOT meeting? His absence damn sure wasn't work related because he's been booted from his job as CEO of the Orlando Aviation Authority.
ReplyDeleteJennings is a quiet, yet steadfast supporter of Bryant. He is one we all need to watch closely.
You got that right. All eyes on "Jennings".
ReplyDeleteIs it me or is Rufus Little name popping up a whole lot in this IG fiasco?
ReplyDeleteRufus is one of our favorite members on this message board. He pops up all the time to tell us that everything on campus is going fine.
ReplyDeleteWe've tried to warn Rufus over and over again to stop making excuses on this blog and "Get to Work" -- but to no avail.
At the last BOT meeting, Rufus had trouble even answering the SGA President's simple questions about the university's banking contract.
Now, as someone mentioned earlier, it looks as if Bryant is setting up Rufus to be the fall guy on the accounting scandal. It seems like Bryant's tactics here are similar to ones she used to make it look like all the faculty firings/layoffs were Debra Austin's fault.
Gerald Dunn has already made himself scare, ducking from the previous BOT meeting and making no effort to call-in. Rufus should take a hint. Better get out of town and get a new gig. Because when the music stops on the accounting scandal, you can bet that Rufus will be the one who's left without a chair to sit in.
Yep, Castell dragged Rufus along on her little private meeting with the IG and then got him to make the private damage-control phone calls.
ReplyDeleteRufus is clearly being positioned to become FAMU's version of Scooter Libby.
Clap ya hands everybody, Uh clap ya hands
ReplyDeleteC'mon, keep it goin...
We could fight like Jim and Barney;
or give back like Fred and Antoinette;
be rich like Morehouse and Spelman;
OR instead struggle like Mo Brown and Ed Waters.
Cuz their alumni! ain't no different from you
N their alumni! ain't no different from me
So WE! got to fight for our school
Like the colleges on tv
(Audit hook)
Break the numbers down, break em down like this
No surplus, No revenue, No balanced books, They were talkin bout nothin
No surplus, No revenue, No balanced books, They were talkin bout nothin
Yea yea yea! (Yea yea yea)
RN,
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero. Soon the university will be free from this madness and your work will have been a significant reason for this liberation. What a wonderful bolg. You are keeping the tradition of Ida B. Well-Barnett alive.
RN attracts many intelligent and well-informed people, because it is an outstanding and intelligent BLOG. Keep up the goodwork!
ReplyDelete