Governor to review college finances

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Updated: 10/11/2012 9:38 am
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Governor Rick Scott is calling for an investigation into all of Fla.'s state colleges, in light of recent financial woes at Florida State College of Jacksonville.

In a letter sent to the state's Chief Inspector General this week, Scott demanded more accountability.

FSCJ President Dr. Steven Wallace submitted his resignation Tuesday after 15 years of service. He was encouraged to leave office after an investigation revealed that $4.7 million in Pell Grants were wrongfully awarded to students.

The board accepted his resignation, giving him a $1.2 million compensation package that keeps him in office through the end of the year, and on staff for an additional 18 months in an independent fundraising and development role.  The board said the deal was best for taxpayers and the college's reputation.

Governor Rick Scott now wants every dollar paid to and spent by state college presidents to come under review.

Chair of the FSCJ Board of Trustees Gwen Yates sent the following statement to Action News in response to the Governor's letter.

"I appreciate and respect the Governor's continued interest in FSCJ.  He has asked for review of certain items. All of us, from the Board and throughout the College, will provide whatever assistance we can to ensure a prompt, thorough and accurate review."

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Action News Jacksonville

jimharvey1 - 10/11/2012 5:13 PM
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Hopefully, for Jacksonville's reputation which has already been stained by this fiasco, nothing more serious than the fact that the current administration was pretty loose with the checkbook with full rubber stamp approval of the DBOT. The mismanagement of the finances of the College is only the tip of the iceberg as to what screwed up things occur there. Unfortunately, the administration has become so adept in covering their tracks over the years that it would need a full criminal investigative team to scratch the surface. Maybe the head of the snake was cut off, but he was a sacrificial piece of meat to "call off the dogs." The "snake" at that school is a multi-headed one. The investigation of ethical behavior should be extended trough the Campus President level.
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