San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

Indictment for former dean and professors

By Hutton Marshall, Staff Writer

Olga Amaral and Leslie Garrison, former professors at San Diego State’s Imperial Valley campus, were recently indicted alongside former Superintendent Michael P. Klentschy after being accused of using federal grant money for personal expenses.

According to the official case statement, Amaral, Garrison and Klentschy collaborated to “enrich themselves by unlawfully diverting grant money to their own use and benefit.” This was done through multiple grants from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education.

One grant came from the U.S. Department of Education, which meant to provide professional training for teachers by supplying a sum of $2.78 million, which was one of the grants allegedly misused. According to the case report, $395,000 went to G&A Associates, an organization comprised solely of Amaral and her husband. Klentschy, who was the principal investigator of the grant, received $90,000. Garrison received $152,750. They began working on this grant in 2004. Their work ended in 2007 after SDSU was contacted by federal investigators. The university did not hesitate in taking action against the three.

“We immediately stopped work on the grant programs these individuals were responsible for and began our own internal review,” Jack Beresford, university spokesperson said.

Amaral, Garrison and Klentschy have all been charged with conspiracy, mail fraud and theft from programs receiving federal funds. Motion hearings / trial settings will take place on Jan. 14. If convicted, the group could face a combined total of more than 170 years in prison and $2 million in fines.

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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Indictment for former dean and professors