An outside audit firm has already been hired to determine the exact dollar amount involved, though Trustee Chairman Kelvin Lawson told the BOG last week it is believed to be in the $1.5-3 million range. Investigators are also expected to determine how many people are involved.
The crisis has raised deeper questions about whether a culture of ethical shortcuts and lapses in oversight took root in the university’s Division of Finance and Administration since late 2016. The latest discovery involving the use of auxiliary funds to cover expenses in the athletic department was discovered during a routine internal review by Joe Maleszewski, VP of Audit, who joined the university in March. The audit discovered the practice dates back to fall 2016.
Larry Robinson was appointed interim president in September 2016. Just a few months later, Robinson appointed Wanda Ford, his trusted confidant, interim VP of Finance and Administration/CFO, in December 2016.
“I am pleased that Dr. Ford has accepted the offer to serve in this interim capacity,” he said. “She brings a wealth of knowledge relevant to ensuring the continued success of this division.
Nineteen months later, Robinson, would forgo a national search for a VP/CFO and appoint Ford to the position permanently.
Robinson + Ford connection
Ford holds a B.S. in accounting from Albany State University and M.S. and Doctor of Management degrees in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.
Ford’s career at FAMU began to take a meteoric rise after her and Robinson developed a close relationship when she served as Director of Grants and Contracts in the Division of Sponsored Research where Robinson served as VP in 2009.
Robinson thought enough of Ford to appoint her Executive Director of Title III (2013), and then interim Vice President and CFO (2016). Later Robinson made her permanent VP/CFO (2018).
By most accounts, Ford and Robinson were very close, and she would not make a move without his permission.
BOG approved plan
FAMU’s athletic deficit has been a finding in multiple operational audits conducted by the Florida Auditor General since September 2016. And has been under monitoring by the BOG. Since October 2016 FAMU has had periodic status calls with the BOG to go over the cash deficit and the university’s progress in implementing its corrective action plan.
The BOG approved plans call for the President and the CFO’s approval on the transfer of any money from auxiliary accounts to athletics if there was ever a need for this to occur. Control of the athletic budget was removed from athletics to the university’s financial leadership team
In January 2018, the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee of the Florida Legislature requested a detailed written response from the University regarding the status of corrective actions taken or to be taken.
During last week’s BOG meeting, Joe Maleszewski said, “the auxiliary to athletics transfers typically happened at the end of each fiscal year. This may have happened as early as the first-year that we had an agreement with the BOG put in place (2016).”
“We had a ridged process in place that required two signatures for approval, Chair Lawson, told the BOG. “What we know is that some individuals worked around that process.”
Robinson suggests he was lied too
When BOG Audit Chair Tim Ciero asked president Robinson why didn’t he know? “I don’t know. We would meet every month on this issue and one of my recurring questions was are these funds coming from the appropriate places? And the answer was always yes,” Robinson said. “I don’t know why,” a deeply troubled looking Robinson added.
Lied to by whom? Ford was his handpicked CFO. This was his team.
If Robinson doesn't hurry up and own this situation his short tenure as permanent president could be summed up by three words --- "I don't know."
FAMU needs a president who will rebuild a culture of leadership which serves the university with integrity, competency and openness.
If Robinson doesn't hurry up and own this situation his short tenure as permanent president could be summed up by three words --- "I don't know."
FAMU needs a president who will rebuild a culture of leadership which serves the university with integrity, competency and openness.