HARTFORD, Conn. — A report from the state comptroller reveals improper and excessive spending amongst leadership and staff of Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU). Comptroller Sean Scanlon detailed the violations in the report, which include spending on tickets to big events and failing to keep track of spending, and issued numerous recommendations to CSCU to control internal finances.
An investigation into Procurement Card use between 2022 and 2024 revealed hundreds of transactions that were missing documentation or were used for unapproved events.
“At the request of Governor Lamont, this audit was conducted in an effort to bring greater accountability and transparency to spending within the CSCU system—both of which the students and taxpayers of our state deserve,” Scanlon said. “Unfortunately, this audit revealed troubling gaps in oversight and questionable spending practices. Our recommendations provide a clear path forward with more comprehensive policies, consistent enforcement, and greater overall accountability.”
One finding was tickets to the Friends of the Danbury Museum and Historical Society Authority Gala were bought for WestConn's Interim President and spouse.
Overall, hundreds of purchases of items and goods were not properly documented or processed to remove or refund state sales tax.
There were multiple findings of emergency funds being used to "pay student personal debts to companies exceeding $600," which included Verizon and Eversource, with no 1099 forms issued.
The report also breaks down the CSCU Chancellor's spending, which found he sometimes spent over the $50 limit for meals, bought alcohol, did not keep track of guests, and tipped at least 22% around 18 times.
Southern Connecticut State University president's spending was also under the microscope, with two forms for automotive detailing charges falsely submitted as gas purchases. The SCSU president also bought a ticket to a Yale vs. Morgan State football game and did not submit whether it was for a business meeting or a scouting event.
Scanlon calls for multiple recommendations to regulate P-Card use, including centralizing P-card policies, having foundation funds pay for some university-related expenses instead of a P-card, creating an internal audit function, adding CSCU to OpenConnecticut for transparency - and more training.
The Comptroller's full report can be read here.
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