WHAS11.com: Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11) – There is new information in the investigation into former University of Louisville Dean Robert Felner.
http://www.whas11.com/video/index.html?nvid=267596&shu=1
Felner is under investigation for allegedly mishandling federal grant money.
WHAS11 News has obtained copies of e-mails sent between Felner and Thomas Schroeder.
Schroeder is the director of a defunct non-profit corporation called the national center on public education and prevention.
That organization allegedly received $450,000 dollars from the University of Louisville for work that was never performed. In the documents Felner describes himself as terrified and nuts over concerns about the IRS. They also hint that perhaps Felner and Schroeder were more than just colleagues.
The first e-mail we obtained from Robert Felner to Tom Schroeder was about grants.
Schroeder wrote, “The grant idea is excellent.”
Felner replied, “Great. We need to do this quick. Good funding and no one is better at this than you.”
By that time, the National Center on Public Education and Prevention, Schroeder’s non-profit organization, had already been dissolved for not filing annual reports.
The next e-mail came in February of 2007.
Felner writes “hi honey,” and discusses getting together with Schroeder.
Felner ends the e-mail with the word “hugs”.
Four days later, Schroeder sent the University of Louisville a tax I.D. number so that it could serve as a contractor.
Then Felner arranged to send the center $450,000 dollars from a $694,000 dollar No Child Left Behind grant.
The grant that’s in question was an earmark that we secured for U of L but the money apparently ran out.
In December 2007, Felner wrote Schroeder saying, “This is starting to completely destroy my break.” he writes that he is concerned about “an IRS thing” that has him “terrified and nuts.”
In the next e-mail, Felner writes the “Situation is getting real dicey. I could lose my house and you too as your payments will be stopping.”
It’s not clear exactly which house Felner was referring to.
WHAS11 News discovered Felner owns four houses including a $700,000 dollar house in Prospect, a $1.4 million dollar home in Florida, a $300,000 dollar home in Florida and a $520,000 dollar home in Rhode Island that he co-owns with his ex-wife.
The total value of the homes is $2.9 million dollars.
On April 27th of this year, Felner refers to payments made to Schroeder “I’ve helped you with this for five years”.
Felner says “I am already needing to relentlessly look for another job as this one I have been told is probably not long.”
The e-mail came just weeks before Felner was hired as the new Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Parkside.
Felner asks Schroeder to file a 990 tax form for the non-profit.
Schroeder writes back that he’s met with attorneys twice about the national center and will be calling the IRS compliance person.
It was around that time, the university began to investigate.
The final e-mail we received indicates the University of Louisville ended Schroeder’s payments of $2,400 dollars a month which began in November 2004.
WHAS11 News contacted both Schroeder’s and Felner’s attorneys.
Schroeder’s attorney said he had no comment.
Felner’s has not called us back.
Emails between Robert Felner and Tom Schroeder
Subject: HELP
From: “Robert Felner” r0feln01@gwise.louisville.edu
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2007 10:17:06 -0500
To: RICCATDS@aol.com
Hi Tom,
This is starting to completely destroy my break. I spent three days trying to get a loan – not fun and chaos – been getting yelled at by RI – have my whole group who are not going to get paid very angry with me-and now am hanging around waiting for a fed ex guy who is not coming. All on top of two years of waiting for an IRS thing that has me completely terrified and nuts as well as multiple contracts/earmarks that never come. I love ya to pieces but please, I need just a little reliability and follow through on this stuff – all I ask in return for the ability to get you paid….please….it is creating great havoc in my life…..and some in yours..
Hugs
me
Robert D. Felner, Ph.D.
Dean and Distinguished
University Scholar,
College of Education
and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, Ky. 40292
r.felner@louisville.edu
voice: (502) 852-3235
fax: (502) 852-1464
Subject: May 22-25
From: “Robert Felner” r0feln01@gwise.louisville.edu
Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2008 15:40:17 -0500
To: RICCATDS@aol.com
Tom
I’m looking at a meeting in Chitown those dates-possible for you?
R
Robert D. Felner, Ph.D.
Dean and Distinguished
University Scholar,
College of Education
and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, Ky. 40292
r.felner@louisville.edu
voice: (502) 852-3235
fax: (502) 852-1464
Subject: Re: (no subject)
From: “Robert Felner” r0feln01@gwise.louisville.edu
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 14:14:47 -0500
To: RICCATDS@aol.com
HI honey,
Next couple of weeks I am traveling-this was a great week but I understand about the weather> So, call me and we can try to find a time I am around.
Hugs
me
Robert D. Felner, Ph.D.
Dean and Distinguished
University Scholar,
College of Education
and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, Ky. 40292
r.felner@louisville.edu
voice: (502) 852-3235
fax: (502) 852-1464
— RICCATDS@aol.com 2/16/2007 1:44 PM —
Robert:
I am interested in visiting the great cityof Louisville on Monday and Tuesday of next week. Is this a possibility with your schedule?
I will call your cell phone this afternoon and try to connect. The weather up here in this arctic wasteland has been awful this week.
Talk to you soon.
Tom
Subject: Re: (no subject)
From: “Robert Felner” r0feln01@gwise.louisville.edu
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 09:43:01 -0500
To: RICCATDS@aol.com
I called-call me
Robert D. Felner, Ph.D.
Dean and Distinguished
University Scholar,
College of Education
and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, Ky. 40292
r.felner@louisville.edu
voice: (502) 852-3235
fax: (502) 852-1464
— — RICCATDS@aol.com 3/3/2008 3:36 PM —
Robert,
I am hoping to travel to Louisville to visit you later this week, if that fits into your outrageous schedule. Please let me know. I could arrive on Wednesday evening, and leave Friday in the morning.
Thank you and see you soon.
Tom
Subject: (no subject)
From: RICCATDS@aol.com
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:27:50 -0500
To: r0feln01@gwise.louisville.edu
Robert:
I have been trying to get in touch with you by hand held communications device. How are you? What do you think about the Yankees? Is Joe Girardi going to make it as Stenbrenner’s whipping boy? What did you think about the John Adams series on HBO? Don’t you feel the show depicted Adams as over the top sensitive, paranoid and insecure? Where are you and when does your schedule accomodate a visit from your old friend? Let me know, and take care.
Tom
Subject: Gotta
From: “Robert Felner” r0feln01@gwise.louisville.edu
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:14:43 -0500
To: riccatds@aol.com
Tom,
Situation is getting real dicey. I could lose my house and you too as your payments will be stopping. I really need you to take care of this. Not manyana. Now. Please, for the sake of our familes and friendship.
Me
Subject: I need you to send me and submit
From: “Robert Felner” r0feln01@gwise.louisville.edu
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 11:12:03 -0500
To: RICCATDS@aol.com
the 1099 I asked for showing $36,450
And I need it asap -ok? Please do not daudle on this. Then payments to you will stop in the next month or sooner. We really really need the tax thing if we are ever going to get out of this hole or get you additional payments or if I am not going to lose my house. I am already needing to relentlessly look for another job as this one I have been told is probably not long. Tom, I’ve helped you with this for five years asking very little back and the amount is HUGE….(54 x 3000) I’ve taken care of covering it MYSELF anticipating we would get the tax status and cover it in my accounts and new value we could show the university. Please do something as quick as humanly possible-I have checked with the IRS-the longest thhey have taken to respond is 7 months not 5 years.
Robert D. Felner, Ph.D.
Dean and Distinguished
University Scholar,
College of Education
and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, Ky. 40292
r.felner@louisville.edu
voice: (502) 852-3235
fax: (502) 852-1464
Subject: Re: I need you to send me and submit
From: riccatds@aol.com
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:01:49 -0500
To: r0feln01@gwise.louisville.edu
Robert:
In response to your email of 4/27, I am picking up the 1099 form that must be scannable for the IRS, and will complete the form, submit and mail to you. Also, I have met with the attorneys twice since last week about the National Center, and we will be conference calling with an IRS compliance person on Wednesday morning. I will continue to push and give them anything they request. I truly hope you have a better week. Take care.
Tom
Subject: Please send
From: “Robert Felner” r0feln01@gwise.louisville.edu
Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 09:34:11 -0500
To: RICCATDS@aol.com
1099 as requested – amt 36,400. And be on look out for check for final payment for data collection on project and call as SOON as received.
Robert D. Felner, Ph.D.
Dean and Distinguished
University Scholar,
College of Education
and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, Ky. 40292
r.felner@louisville.edu
voice: (502) 852-3235
fax: (502) 852-1464
Subject: Re: Please send
From: RICCATDS@aol.com
Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 12:03:58 -0500
To: r0feln01@gwise.louisville.edu
Robert,
I completed the 1099 for $36,450. Would you prefer I send the form to your home or U of L address? Also, I will send the check to you as soon as it arrives, and I have had three conversations in the last two weeks with officials from the IRS regarding 501c3 status for the National Center, and I am re-submitting some of the forms of the application.
Whatever I can do for you, please know that I will. Take care, and I hope to talk with you and see you soon.
Tom
Subject: Re: Please send
From: “Robert Felner” r0feln01@gwise.louisville.edu
Date: Sat, 17 May 2008 18:12:12 -0500
To: RICCATDS@aol.com
Please send to
me at
P.O. Box 436 Harrods Creek KY (for a short time) 40027
Check to you soon.
Any progress?
Will talk to you next week. Right now trying hard to find a job.
Gotta get out of here.
Robert D. Felner, Ph.D.
Dean and Distinguished
University Scholar,
College of Education
and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, Ky. 40292
r.felner@louisville.edu
voice: (502) 852-3235
fax: (502) 852-1464
— — RICCATDS@aol.com 5/12/2008 1:03 PM —
Robert,
I completed the 1099 for $36,450. Would you prefer I send the form to
your home or U of L address? Also, I will send the check to you as soon as it
arrives, and I have had three conversations in the last two weeks with
officials from the IRS regarding 501c3 status for the National Center, and I am
re-submitting some of the forms of the application.
Whatever I can do for you, please know that I will. Take care, and I
hope to talk with you and see you soon.
Tom
Subject: Re: I need you to send me and submit
From: “Robert Felner” r0feln01@gwise.louisville.edu
Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 07:18:27 -0500
To: riccatds@aol.com
Have not yet received the 1099 form. Any news on the IRS stuff. What happened on the conference call. This is URGENT.
Robert D. Felner, Ph.D.
Dean and Distinguished
University Scholar,
College of Education
and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, Ky. 40292
r.felner@louisville.edu
voice: (502) 852-3235
fax: (502) 852-1464
— — riccatds@aol.com 4/28/2008 4:01 PM —
Robert:
In response to your email of 4/27, I am picking up the 1099 form that must be scannable for the IRS, and will complete the form, submit and mail to you. Also, I have met with the attorneys twice since last week about the National Center, and we will be conference calling with an IRS compliance person on Wednesday morning. I will continue to push and give them anything they request. I truly hope you have a better week. Take care.
Tom
Subject: Re: Please send
From: “Robert Felner” r0feln01@gwise.louisville.edu
Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 07:31:12 -0500
To: RICCATDS@aol.com
Have you sent this?
Robert D. Felner, Ph.D.
Dean and Distinguished
University Scholar,
College of Education
and Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, Ky. 40292
r.felner@louisville.edu
voice: (502) 852-3235
fax: (502) 852-1464
— — RICCATDS@aol.com 5/12/2008 1:03 PM —
Robert,
I completed the 1099 for $36,450. Would you prefer I send the form to your home or U of L address? Also, I will send the check to you as soon as it arrives, and I have had three conversations in the last two weeks with officials from the IRS regarding 501c3 status for the National Center, and I am re-submitting some of the forms of the application.
Whatever I can do for you, please know that I will. Take care, and I hope to talk with you and see you soon.
Tom
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