Ex-Columbia Exec Sentenced For $180K Fraud
Posted on Thursday, 25 of June , 2009 at 4:27 pm
NEW YORK—The former manager of the Pediatric Neurosciences Department of the Neurological Institute at Columbia University has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for defrauding Columbia of more than $180,000.
From approximately June 2005 to approximately June 2008, prosecutors say John Bzdil III, 35, of Allentown, Pa., used his position to engage in a scheme to defraud by causing Columbia to make reimbursement payments for phony expenses and purchases purportedly attributable to the Pediatric Neurosciences Department.
On multiple occasions, Bzdil submitted reimbursement requests to Columbia for spinal muscular atrophy studies purportedly performed by a medical professional affiliated with Columbia. In fact, the studies were never performed. Bzdil nevertheless authorized Columbia to make payment on the reimbursement requests, and diverted the money to accounts he controlled. In this manner, Bzdil stole more than $112,500.
In addition, Bzdil submitted reimbursement requests for various items purchased from Amazon.com for his personal use, falsely representing that they were goods and services related to his employment at Columbia. As a result, Columbia was deceived into making payments of more than $40,000.
Bzdil also submitted reimbursement requests for expenses incurred at the Skytop Lodge, in Skytop, Pa., in connection with his wedding. These expenses totaled over $25,000 and were also paid by Columbia based on misrepresentation by Bzdil that they constituted legitimate expenses.
In addition to the prison term, Bzdil was sentenced to two years’ supervised release and entered an order of forfeiture against Bzdil in the amount of $180,000.
Bzdil pleaded guilty in March 2009, to a one count information charging him with wire fraud. 6-25-09
Category: Courts, Crime, Education, Health
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