Ex-TSU president, others to be tried separately

  

(1/09/07 - HOUSTON) -- Former Texas Southern University President Priscilla Slade and three ex-school employees indicted on charges of misspending hundreds of thousands of school dollars to furnish and landscape her home will be tried separately, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Slade, president of the historically black university for more than six years before she was fired in June, will be the first tried, on Aug. 10.

She faces two charges of criminally misusing university money for her private benefit, but she has denied wrongdoing and has filed a civil lawsuit against the school. If convicted, she faces anywhere from probation to life in prison, and a fine of up to $20,000. She is free on bond.

An inquiry by an independent law firm found that she spent more than $260,000 on house-related costs. A criminal investigation showed more than $1.9 million was spent during her time as president on such things as artwork, spa treatments and tickets for sporting events.

The grand jury, after a three-month investigation, in August indicted Slade and ex-TSU employees Quintin Wiggins, the former chief financial officer; Bruce Wilson, who was senior vice president of administration; and Frederick Holts, the university's senior safety system engineer.

They were indicted in connection with their roles in the purchases.

Holts will go on trial Feb. 16, Wiggins on April 5 and Wilson on Sept. 28.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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