news-record.com

GREENSBORO — N.C. A&T officials haven't explained how more than $20,000 vanished from the state university or how a former professor could have used a university credit card after her resignation.

This isn't the first time A&T officials have been called on to address allegations of financial impropriety.

In early 2007, A&T's interim chancellor called for a financial audit by the UNC system. In May 2007, internal auditors reported the misuse of funds, widespread overspending and poor oversight at the university.

On Friday, Melissa Ann Hagan Hughes, 39, of 7352 Henson Forest Drive in Summerfield was charged with several counts of embezzlement and obtaining property by false pretense.

As much as $29,326 disappeared from A&T from September 2007 through January 2008, according to arrest warrants. Some of the missing funds involved the use of a university credit card after Hughes left A&T, according to warrants.

University officials said Hughes resigned from A&T in late November.

University officials would not comment when asked how a former employee could have used a university credit card, saying that information was part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

A&T spokeswoman Mable Scott did say that A&T protocols require that the Division of Business and Finance be notified when an employee leaves the university or is terminated and that purchasing privileges be revoked.

"This incident was discovered through internal control procedures of N.C. A&T and was further investigated by the university's internal auditor and the university's department of police and public safety," Scott said this week. "Based on the university's investigation, the decision was made to refer the case to the Guilford County District Attorney's Office."

Arrest warrants, which were filed by an investigator with the university's police department, accuse Hughes of taking $29,326 in funds and property from the university.

But Wednesday, Scott said that the university believes only $20,623 is missing.

Reached at her home, Hughes declined to comment.

Hughes served as an assistant professor of university studies and made $55,233 annually. She started at the university in February 2006.

Mark Kiel, vice chancellor for development and university relations, said A&T is committed to maintaining accountability of the university's funds.

"The university is constantly reviewing and updating its procedures and controls to minimize the likelihood of misappropriation of university assets," Kiel said in a statement. "The university is committed to sound financial reporting, openness and transparency in the reporting process."

Messages seeking comment from Chancellor Stanley Battle were not returned this week.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com