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

More than $165,000 stolen from SDSU Research Foundation

More+than+%24165%2C000+stolen+from+SDSU+Research+Foundation
Will Fritz

More than $165,000 was stolen from the San Diego State Research Foundation through two fraudulent wire transfers, according to university police.

An unknown suspect used fictitious information to obtain the two wire transfers, SDSUPD Cpl. Mark Peterson said.

The transfers took place on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10, but were not reported until Feb. 15, according to a police media bulletin.

Research Foundation Director of Communications Debbie Brighton said in a Feb. 27 email she could not speak to how the fraud was discovered, as it is part of the ongoing criminal investigation.

The Foundation is working with campus police to determine precisely how the incident occurred, she said.

Brighton said it expects to recover the majority of the funds through its insurance carrier.

“No major budget impact is anticipated,” she said.

The Research Foundation, a non-profit organization, receives and administers grants to SDSU researchers using funds from federal and state agencies, as well as private organizations, according to Brighton.

Most of its own funding comes from facilities, as well as administrative costs recovered from grants the Foundation administers, she said.

Campus police are teaming up with the FBI on the investigation, and the FBI is taking over as the lead investigative agency, SDSUPD Cpl. Mark Peterson said.

The FBI’s San Diego field office did not respond to a request for comment.

About the Contributor
Will Fritz, Editor in Chief
Will Fritz is the editor in chief of The Daily Aztec for the 2018-19 academic year. A fourth-year journalism major, he's a weekend breaking news reporter for City News Service, an editorial intern at Voice of San Diego and president of SDSU's chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Follow him on Twitter at @fritzed_, and contact him directly at (619) 594-4190 or editor@thedailyaztec.com.
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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
More than $165,000 stolen from SDSU Research Foundation