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Monday, September 23, = 2002

TSU audit cites ex-official in loss of over $35,000
Finding may vindicate fired chief

By RON NISSIMOV

In a finding that could vindicate a police chief fired by Texas Southern University, a university audit has concluded that a former director of special events is responsible for $35,630 in missing funds. =

Former TSU police chief Cordell Linds= ey contends in a whistle-blower lawsuit that he was fired by the universit= y in February 2001 for refusing to stop investigating a possible theft of $4= ,000 by then-special events coordinator Tiffany Thompson. =

The university denied Lindsey's accusations, but declined to discuss specific issues.

In February of this year, TSU fired Thompson after accusing her of stealing $500.

A recently completed TSU audit obtain= ed by the Chronicle revealed that university officials believe Thompson "= ;is responsible for $35,630.00 in missing funds."

The Harris County District Attorney's Office is investigating whether to file criminal charges against Thomps= on, who could not be reached for comment.

Capt. Dan McAnul= ty, an investigator with the district attorney's office, said, "All I = can comment on is that we have received the audit and have been asked to re= view it and take some appropriate action. As far as whether any charges will result, I can't comment on that yet."

Rusty Hardin, who is representing Lin= dsey in the whistle-blower case, was incredulous at TSU= 's actions.

"I think what TSU has done has b= een deplorable," Hardin said. "TSU should compensate Lindsey and apologize and admit what they did was unfair and wrong. They let him go= in January 2001, and they found out in September 2002 that $36,000 was missing. What took so long?"

TSU spokeswoman Page Rander said she could not comment because of the pending litigation.

The audit said Thompson engaged in "intentional circumvention" of university accounting policies= and practiced "intentional deception." According to the audit, Thompson sometimes required that payments be made in cash or money orde= rs, and the money could then be easily spent or deposited in a personal bank account without being traceable.

Thompson did not maintain proper reco= rds for events that were paid with cash or money orders, but did keep good records for large events, the audit said.

"As a result, it appeared this department was in compliance with required policies and procedures,&quo= t; the audit said.

Lindsey investigated Thompson for all= egedly depositing $4,000 in missing money orders into her personal bank account and for filing a false robbery report to try to cover up the theft.

"This report vindicates my client," Hardin said.

The attorney said TSU has not tried to settle the case since the audit was completed. He said trial is schedul= ed for early next year in the court of state District Judge Jane Bland.

Hardin chided TSU for its unsuccessful attempt to obtain a gag order against him and Lindsey in the case.

"They attempted to get a judge t= o stop me from saying that my client was treated wrong," he said.

He said Lindsey has worked as a bus d= river and is pursuing other job prospects. "It's been a stain on him ever since this happened," Hardin said about the firing.

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