ATLANTA — Prosecutors say a former Emory University employee at the School of Nursing is facing federal wire fraud charges after she diverted about $317,000 in student fees and tuition to her own account.
The crime affected nearly 200 students attending the nursing school, according to University officials.
According to a criminal information complaint obtained only by WSB, now former employee Brenda Michael, who worked in part with admissions, set up a PayPal account.
Prosecutors said, “Michael falsely represented to the students that the account was an Emory University account, when, in fact, the account belonged to Michael.”
“Michael kept the funds for her personal benefit instead of remitting the funds to Emory University,” the federal complaint says.
“She is the one that came forward and brought it to Emory’s attention,” said Parag Shah, who is Brenda Michael’s attorney.
Shah said Michael will enter a guilty plea later this month.
“Based on the circumstances at her life at the time, she made some poor choices, she accepted responsibility for her actions and she wants to apologize to Emory and the people she may have hurt,” Shah said.
A spokesperson for Emory University emailed a statement saying:
“Emory University has been informed that Brenda Michael, a former School of Nursing employee, has been charged with wire fraud involving student credit card payments made between August 2012-February 2014. The approximately 185 students affected were notified of the fraud in April 2014 and identity protection services were provided.
“Emory has cooperated fully with the U.S. Attorney’s investigation that led to criminal charges filed this week against the former employee.
“Emory University takes the security of student information very seriously and is fully committed to protecting all of the information and funds that students have entrusted to the university.”
“We are paying so much money and you are going in debt to afford this and to know something like this is shocking,” said nursing student Miriam Boulaey.
WSB
