Two former administrators are being tried for allegedly stealing a combined $1 million from Tufts.
Created by thetuftsdaily on Sep 6, 2008
Last updated: 03/12/10 at 03:14 AM
AT their joint arraignment, Nealley and Rodriguez both enter pleas of not guilty and are released without bail.After the arraignment, the Middlesex District Attorneys Office releases a statement of case outlining the charges. Notably, it claims that Rodriguez admitted his guilt to police as they searched his residence during the investigation.
http://www.tuftsdaily.com/1.613284
After the arraignment, Nealleys lawyer alleges that it was Rodriguez himself who submitted the anonymous tip that led to both of their indictments. According to him, Rodriguez was spiteful after being passed over for a promotion.
http://www.tuftsdaily.com/1.613895
A grand jury indicts Nealley on multiple counts of larceny. In a twist that surprised even the Tufts administration, they also indict Rodriguez, whose name had not previously been mentioned in association with the alleged embezzlement.The indictment accused Nealley of stealing $372,576 and Rodriguez of taking $604,873 in two unrelated schemes.
http://www.tuftsdaily.com/2.5511/1.587219
On the same day that Nealley and Rodriguez are indicted, Joseph Golia begins his job in Nealleys old post as director of the OCL. "The priorities right now are to sort of move forward and get people excited about a new beginning," Golia said at the time.
http://www.tuftsdaily.com/2.5511/1.587179
The Middlesex District Attorney's office tells the Daily that it is still in the midst of an investigation and that no charges have yet been filed in the embezzlement case.
After months of bad press bring the OSAs reputation to an all-time low, Tufts announces that the embattled department will be re-named the Office for Campus Life.
http://www.tuftsdaily.com/2.5511/1.587836
In a collaborative move between the administration and student government, Tufts announces that it will create a new position to oversee the handling of all money used by student organizations. The move is one in a series of measures implemented to prevent future cases of embezzlement.
http://www.tuftsdaily.com/2.5511/1.589007
Nealleys lawyer, Howard Lewis, tells the Daily that Nealley plans to plead not guilty if shes taken to court for her alleged crimes. "Once this plays out, I think youll see that theres a reason how this could have happened," he said at the time.
http://media.www.tuftsdaily.com/media/storage/paper856/news/2007/11/16/News/Nealley.To.Mount.Affirmative.Defense.If.Taken.To.Court.Her.Attorney.Says-3107421.shtml
A week after Nealleys firing, Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman issues a formal statement about the incident, saying that Tufts is "shocked, disappointed and angered" about Nealleys alleged actions.
http://media.www.tuftsdaily.com/media/storage/paper856/news/2007/11/15/News/Dean-Reitman.Issues.Statement.About.Nealley-3103961.shtml
Nealley is fired after the university audit finds evidence that she allegedly embezzled roughly $300,000 from the Office of Student Activities. According to Tufts administrators, Nealley admits to taking a portion of that money when confronted about the discrepancies.
http://www.tuftsdaily.com/2.5511/1.589620
Rodriguez leaves his post in the OSA, creating a temporary vacuum of oversight within the department. According to Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman, Rodriguez "left on his own" under no suspicion of foul play.
According to court documents, Rodriguez wrote himself a check for $100,000 using the OSAs bank account. He was known around campus for wearing expensive clothing and carrying pricey accessories.
http://www.tuftsdaily.com/1.613286
An anonymous tip is placed through Tufts fraud protection service suggesting that something is amiss in the OSA. As a result of the tip, the offices finances are audited.
http://www.tuftsdaily.com/1.613286
Ray Rodriguez steps in as the Office of Student Activities budget and fiscal coordinator -- a position that gave him full oversight of the offices funding and nearly unfettered access to its checkbook.
Jodie Nealley steps in as Tufts' Director of Student Activities.
http://www.tuftsdaily.com/1.613286
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