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From KSU and TSU combined, the former EVP for Finance received over $37,133 in monthly gross pay for May 2021 and June 2021, $17,550 from KSU and $19,583 from TSU. At both institutions, the former KSU EVP for Finance was not required to submit time records, other than for leave taken. KSU records identify that between May 1, 2021, and June 25, 2021, the former EVP for Finance took one day of sick leave, and one holiday. TSU records indicate that the same individual took no leave for the entire two-month period. As such, for the entire month of May 2021, and the majority of June 2021, the former EVP for Finance was reporting to his two employers, working 7.5 hours each on their behalf, for a total of 15 hours worked daily. Without documentation of the specific hours worked at each institution, it is not known how these hours overlapped. But based on statements made by KSU personnel, it appears the former EVP for Finance’s dual employment was dividing his time and energy.

KSU’s former Director of Capital Planning and Facilities Management stated the former EVP for Finance advised his staff in mid-June 2021 that he was resigning from KSU at the end of the month. However, the former Director stated that it was a “weird situation” as staff knew the former EVP for Finance had been absent without telling anyone where he was or what was going on in the weeks prior to his announcement. A former accounting staff member similarly noted that the former EVP for Finance stopped responding to emails and texts from staff some time before leaving KSU.

The former President stated that he became aware the former EVP for Finance held dual employment just before he left KSU and recalled seeing a picture of the former EVP for Finance at a TSU ribbon cutting ceremony on a workday for KSU. Research identifies the ribbon cutting ceremony the former EVP for Finance attended took place on June 17, 2021, for TSU’s Health Sciences Building. On the same day, the former EVP for Finance also attended TSU Board of Trustees Regular Meeting and was identified in official meeting minutes as TSU’s VP of Finance and Budget.

In addition to holding dual employment, KSU’s former Payroll Director stated that before the former EVP for Finance left KSU in June, he demanded she pay out his full vacation balance of approximately $34,000, though KSU’s policy had been revised in December 2020 to limit the amount of vacation time that could be paid out to employees upon separation. The former Payroll Director said that she was advised by the former EVP for Finance that the former President said she could pay this out to him. An email dated June 9, 2021, documents the former EVP for Finance advised the former Payroll Director that she was “approved to process the vacation payout.”

KSU’s former General Counsel stated the former EVP for Finance was also texting members of KSU’s Legal Office asking them to permit the payout. Later, on June 21, 2021, the Payroll Director forwarded the former EVP for Finance’s email request to the former President, members of KSU Legal Office, and the SVP for Brand Identity and University Relations, asking for guidance on how to handle the request. KSU’s former General Counsel then advised that the former Payroll Director should proceed in accordance with University Policy. While KSU appropriately denied the request, the request and subsequent pressure reportedly applied by the former EVP for Finance to his subordinate and members of KSU’s Legal Office is concerning. Particularly in light of other findings of this report, which indicate potential self-gratuity and abuse of authority by the former EVP for Finance and Administration. See Findings 10 and 11 for