Down and out
As you know from news reports published Sunday and today, a new audit points out financial improprieties at N.C. A&T.
The findings largely echo information in an A&T internal audit Lanita Withers reported on back in May. However, the new report from the N.C. Auditor's Office seems to contain more detail, including the conclusion that $380,000 from a vending contract, which should have been used for scholarships and student aid, instead went into a chancellor's discretionary account and paid for such things as travel expenses for the wife of then-Chancellor James Renick.
Renick, who now works for the American Council on Education, has declined to speak with the media. He needs to be a lot more cooperative with investigators -- and his new employer should insist on it. At the same time, Renick's defenders here in Greensboro have every right to stand up for the former chancellor. Renick hasn't been charged with misconduct, much less convicted of doing anything wrong.
Fortunately, the UNC system administration, former Interim Chancellor Lloyd Hackley and new Chancellor Stanley Battle have made cleaning up these problems a top priority.
Also down and on his way out is Alberto Gonzales, the embattled U.S. attorney general who finally announced his resignation today. We'll have some commentary about that.
Comments (2)
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A hope as the new AG is appointed is that the President and Congress find some way to work together. One potential compromise would be for the incoming AG to agree to appoint an non-partisan, independent investigator to examine the USA firings and the veracity of AG Gonzales' testimony on the wiretap programs. In return, the Congress would allow a quick vote on the nominee and drop its own investigations of the AG's office.
It's time to rebuild the confidence of the DoJ.
Posted on August 27, 2007 7:40 PM
We do need a strong, credible AG.
Posted on August 28, 2007 10:26 AM