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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/4785177.html
May 8, 2007, 10:59AM
Former TSU official gets 10 years for misusing school funds
By JUAN A. LOZANO Associated Press Writer
? 2007 The Associated Press
HOUSTON ? Texas Southern University's former chief financial officer was sentenced to 10 years in prison Tuesday for funneling nearly $300,000 of public funds into secret accounts used by the troubled school's ex-president to lavishly furnish and landscape her home.
A jury deliberated for about four hours over two days before sentencing Quintin Wiggins, who was convicted last week on one count of misapplication of fiduciary property with a value over $200,000.
Wiggins, whose trial began April 10, had faced a sentence of anywhere from five years probation to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Prosecutors had asked jurors to sentence Wiggins to at least 30 years in prison while defense attorneys asked for probation.
Prosecutors said Wiggins diverted $286,000 of TSU funds into hidden accounts that then-President Priscilla Slade used to buy furniture, landscaping and a high-tech security system for her home.
The allegations against Wiggins, Slade and others coincided with a series of reports that revealed a pattern of financial mismanagement at the school and prompted Gov. Rick Perry to call for a state takeover of the historically black university.
Wiggins' attorneys said their client was sorry for his mistakes at TSU.
"A proper punishment is not a stiff penalty," said L. Mickele Daniels, one of Wiggins' attorneys.
Wiggins' family and friends testified Monday, telling the jury, which did not include any blacks, he was a good person who has helped the community.
But prosecutors said the damage and loss Texas Southern suffered because of Wiggins can't be measured.
"How do you quantify what this defendant did along with his partner in crime, Priscilla Slade?" prosecutor Donna Goode said.
In all, Slade spent $87,000 on furniture, $138,000 on landscaping and $61,000 on a security system, prosecutors said. Slade, the school's president for more than six years before she was fired in June, is set for trial in August on two charges of criminally misusing university money for private benefit.
Prosecutors said the financial problems at TSU, including those caused by Wiggins and Slade, prompted one donor to pull back a $250,000 gift to the university.
Prosecutors said Wiggins does not merit probation in part because of his criminal record, which includes two arrests for driving while intoxicated and one for impersonating a peace officer.
Perry's push for a takeover of TSU was put on hold after complaints by members of the Legislative Black Caucus that such action could jeopardize TSU's accreditation. Perry agreed to work with them on a compromise plan. All nine of TSU's regents resigned at Perry's request.
The campus in Houston has an enrollment of about 11,000 and is the alma mater of the late U.S. Rep. Barbara Jordan and other notables.
May 8, 2007, 10:59AM
Former TSU official gets 10 years for misusing school funds
By JUAN A. LOZANO Associated Press Writer
? 2007 The Associated Press
HOUSTON ? Texas Southern University's former chief financial officer was sentenced to 10 years in prison Tuesday for funneling nearly $300,000 of public funds into secret accounts used by the troubled school's ex-president to lavishly furnish and landscape her home.
A jury deliberated for about four hours over two days before sentencing Quintin Wiggins, who was convicted last week on one count of misapplication of fiduciary property with a value over $200,000.
Wiggins, whose trial began April 10, had faced a sentence of anywhere from five years probation to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Prosecutors had asked jurors to sentence Wiggins to at least 30 years in prison while defense attorneys asked for probation.
Prosecutors said Wiggins diverted $286,000 of TSU funds into hidden accounts that then-President Priscilla Slade used to buy furniture, landscaping and a high-tech security system for her home.
The allegations against Wiggins, Slade and others coincided with a series of reports that revealed a pattern of financial mismanagement at the school and prompted Gov. Rick Perry to call for a state takeover of the historically black university.
Wiggins' attorneys said their client was sorry for his mistakes at TSU.
"A proper punishment is not a stiff penalty," said L. Mickele Daniels, one of Wiggins' attorneys.
Wiggins' family and friends testified Monday, telling the jury, which did not include any blacks, he was a good person who has helped the community.
But prosecutors said the damage and loss Texas Southern suffered because of Wiggins can't be measured.
"How do you quantify what this defendant did along with his partner in crime, Priscilla Slade?" prosecutor Donna Goode said.
In all, Slade spent $87,000 on furniture, $138,000 on landscaping and $61,000 on a security system, prosecutors said. Slade, the school's president for more than six years before she was fired in June, is set for trial in August on two charges of criminally misusing university money for private benefit.
Prosecutors said the financial problems at TSU, including those caused by Wiggins and Slade, prompted one donor to pull back a $250,000 gift to the university.
Prosecutors said Wiggins does not merit probation in part because of his criminal record, which includes two arrests for driving while intoxicated and one for impersonating a peace officer.
Perry's push for a takeover of TSU was put on hold after complaints by members of the Legislative Black Caucus that such action could jeopardize TSU's accreditation. Perry agreed to work with them on a compromise plan. All nine of TSU's regents resigned at Perry's request.
The campus in Houston has an enrollment of about 11,000 and is the alma mater of the late U.S. Rep. Barbara Jordan and other notables.
