Tufts Staffer Fired for Alleged Embezzlement
Student Activities Director Jodie Nealley. Nealley was fired from Tufts on Friday after she admitted to embezzling funds from the university. Courtesy photo.
– Allison Goldsberry
Tufts University has fired its Student Activities Director of ten years, Jodie Nealley, after Nealley admitted to embezzling funds from the school.
According to Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman, Nealley admitted to Reitman that she took a portion of $300,000 in embezzled funds.
“We are shocked, disappointed, and angered by Ms. Nealley’s actions. She breached the trust that all of us at Tufts had placed in her,” said Reitman in a statement.
Reitman said a preliminary audit conducted by Tufts’ Audit and Management Advisory Services Office indicated that Nealley had “misappropriated” over a period of time the funds from revenue-generating activities and accounts under her control.
Reitman’s office is working to make sure no activities or student organizations will be financially impacted by the embezzlement.
In the mean time, Tufts’ Paul Tringale, in charge of conferences, summer programs, and Commencement, will fill in as interim Student Activities Director while the university searches for a new director.
The matter has been referred to the Middlesex Country District Attorney’s office. There is no word yet on pending charges.
According to Reitman, the Audit and Management Advisory Services Office will continue its investigation.
“That office will also do an exhaustive review of existing financial policies, procedures and controls relating to student organizations and activities and will recommend any changes needed to strengthen procedures to protect against misuse of university resources,” said Reitman.
According to Tufts’ Student Activities website, Nealley has been with the university for eleven years, ten of which she served as Student Activities Director. Her responsibilities included overseeing the overall operation of the Student Activities Office and the campus center, and serving as an advisor to several student organizations, including the student senate and fraternities and sororities.
Prior to Tufts, Nealley worked at the Art Institute of Boston and Rutgers University.