JACKSON- Jackson State University has settled in a case with the United States Government over allegations that the school mismanaged National Science Foundation Grants. They’ll pay out to the tune of $1.7 million. The funds were administered under NSF Grants by JSU during June 2006 and September 2011. According to U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and Allison Lerner.
When an audit was done in 2012 officials deemed that several expenditures were not allowable under the grant guidelines, or proper documentation was not provided.
After the audit an investigation was conducted to which they found that JSU employees fabricated time and effort reports and gave them to auditors, or did not present adequate documentation at all.
“Recipients of federally-funded grants must adhere to the regulations applicable to those grants and accurately report the required information. This settlement sends a strong signal to grant recipients that failure to follow the applicable requirements may lead to significant financial consequences,” stated Gregory K. Davis, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi.
As part of the settlement JSU must agree to take specific steps to prevent these events from ever happening again but using a compliance program. The program would provide comprehensive training on time and effort reporting.
