Kentucky: Felner turns himself in to authorities

by E Wayne Ross on October 23, 2008

WHAS11.com: Felner turns himself in to authorities

Robert Felner has turned himself into authorities. After a six month investigation, Robert Felner has been indicted for mishandling and diverting more than $2 million of university grant money for his own use. The news spread across campus Wednesday and so did the disappointment.

“A lot of us are students that work and that money goes towards our education. He’s wasting our money that we’re working hard for to come here and get an education. That’s pretty heartless,” Steve Hartman, University of Louisville student, said. “I think it’s the right move. I think he should be punished for his actions and I think he got what he deserved.”

According to authorities, some of the money Felner has been charged with embezzling apparently went to buy four houses. They also said Felner sent $576,000 of U of L money to his personal investment account. They also said the embezzlements didn’t start at U of L.

Felner and his colleague, Thomas Schroeder, are accused of embezzling more than $1.7 million from the University of Rhode Island, while Felner was the dean of education there. For that, students like Hartman said he should go to jail.

“I think education is pretty expensive as it is and to worry about somebody coming and just getting money just like that and he doing what he wants to do with it, that makes me sick,” Daniel Serpa said.