Last update - 00:00 23/08/2007
Tel Aviv University employee suspected of embezzling $360,000
By Yigal Hai, Haaretz Correspondent
A 34-year-old Tel Aviv University employee was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of embezzling roughly $360,000 from the university bank account.
She was taken to the Tel Aviv police station where she invoked her right to remain silent.
For seven years the suspect has worked for the university's academic travel department, where she handled foreign currency allocation to staff members going abroad.
Police opened an investigation following a complaint filed by the university. Upon asking to extend her remand, police said it was believed that "the suspect stole some $360,000 from the university bank account in a systematic and sophisticated manner. She used falsified bank references, a stolen identity card, and a fake power of attorney. The suspect has deviously used false computer entries to cover for her thievery."
Her remand was extended Thursday by five days. The court said that the evidence collected so far "speaks for itself."
Tel Aviv University Director General Mordechai Cohen said Thursday that, "An inquiry conducted by the university comptroller revealed that the affair has not affected members of staff."