Former University Employee Arrested

A former employee of the University of North Florida was arrested and charged with grand theft Thursday after talking with University Police investigators.

UPD Chief Mark Foxworth said Steven R. Rodgers,34, told a UPD investigator that he had altered deposit reports for the University Center and had taken cash from the deposits.

In June, the University’s Inspector General’s Office had asked UPD to investigate after a routine audit found inconsistencies in funds at the University Center. The investigation found that between April 18, 2002, and Nov. 18, 2002, 14 deposit reports had been altered, resulting in a discrepancy of about $6,600.

Each deposit report was prepared by Rodgers, whose job as a senior auditor included receiving and receipting collections, preparing bank deposits, invoicing University Center clients and maintaining its accounting records.

The University Center rents its facilities to area business groups and organizations. The money that was unaccounted for was from University Center events, such as dinners and meetings. No state money was involved.

As a result of the audit, collection procedures at the University Center have been revised to address the identified control weaknesses. The University plans to seek full restitution of the funds.

Rodgers was employed by the University from May 1998 to December 2002.

Following his arrest, UPD officers transported Rodgers to the Duval County Jail where he is awaiting a bond hearing.

- UNF -