Investigators: possible fraud uncovered at FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - December 14, 2011 (WPVI) -- Authorities looking into the death of a Florida A&M University drum major opened a new investigation after they uncovered possible employee fraud and misconduct at the school, according to documents released Wednesday.

Meanwhile, there was more fallout in Georgia. An Atlanta-area school district suspended all marching band activities at 21 high schools over concerns of "inappropriate physical activity" between students. Two alleged victims of hazing at Florida A&M were in the Southwest DeKalb High marching band, which was one of those suspended.

"Our interest is in protecting students, the safety of the students," said district spokesman Walter Woods, who would not say whether the inappropriate activity involved hazing. "We have notified schools to be vigilant of our existing policy, which is zero tolerance for harassment of any kind."

In Florida, the state law enforcement agency sent letters to the head of the FAMU board and the head of the state university system, but they did not detail the potential fraud or misconduct, saying only that it involves school employees as well as "persons associated" with the university.

The school's president, James Ammons was hired more than four years ago as part of an effort to clear up past problems at the university. State audits found that some financial records could not be verified and there was questionable contracting. The college also could not account for millions of dollars in inventory.

A FAMU spokeswoman said she had not seen the letters and could not immediately comment.

Last week, the school's board of trustees publicly reprimanded Ammons after a contentious debate on whether he should have been placed on leave.

Solomon Badger, chairman of the FAMU board, said the university would cooperate with the new investigation.

"I didn't know anything about the fraud and I still don't," Badger said.

Investigators uncovered the potential fraud while looking into what is believed to be the hazing death of Robert Champion, a Marching 100 band member. Champion died Nov. 19 after he was found unresponsive on a bus parked in front of an Orlando hotel after the FAMU football team lost to a rival school.

Three weeks before his death, FAMU freshman and clarinet player Bria Hunter told police she was beaten badly by members of the "Red Dawg Order," a band club was for Georgia natives. Both Champion and Hunter were from there.

Three band members were arrested in Hunter's case and charged with hazing. Two were also charged with battery.

University officials suspended the famed Marching 100 band from performances until the investigation into his death is completed.

Ammons also fired band director Julian White and expelled four students connected to Champion's death. But the university rescinded those decisions and instead placed White on administrative leave at the urging of the state law enforcement agency. Authorities said they did not want disciplinary actions to interfere with the criminal investigation into Champion's death.

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Associated Press writer Dorie Turner in Atlanta contributed to this report.

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