Mar 21, 2025
At a point when workplace expenses are closely scrutinized, universities cannot afford to have employees misusing funds earmarked for academic purposes only.
According to NBC, a University of Connecticut faculty member has been arrested by campus police for allegedly using university and grant money to fund lavish personal trips. A university spokesperson said Sherry Zane, a professor in the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program, is accused of misusing university resources.
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The university report claimed that Zane submitted edited handwritten and photoshopped receipts so she could be reimbursed for more than a dozen trips. Several were international trips — Ireland and Portugal — which she claimed were for research.
"The university conducts thorough investigations into potential policy violations and takes appropriate action as needed. That is what happened in this case, and it is also how we continually support a culture of compliance on our campuses," UConn President Rakenka Maric shared in a statement.
When it comes to expensing trips, especially in an academic setting, what is permissible and what is unacceptable? Here are the warning signs to watch for when managing your workplace budget.
How did misuse of funds occur?
Most employees expense work trips, but Zane isn't accused of ordering lobster instead of chicken on the company's dime.
University officials claim the professor-in-residence took more than 19 expensive trips between June 2021 and December 2023. Court records indicate she even took her children to Disney — and asked the university to pay for it.
According to police, Zane produced “little to no documented work product” from those travels. The arrest warrant affidavit stated there is evidence she “created false business justifications to go on personal trips”, which were used to expense lodging, transportation and meals. The expenses totaled more than $58,000.
According to the university, Zane has been placed on administrative leave. She turned herself into the UConn police on February 13th after a warrant was placed for her arrest. Zane faces first-degree larceny charges.
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A lawyer representing Zane dismissed that his client did anything wrong.
"Dr. Zane has dedicated years of her life to UConn,” Zane's attorney, Trent LaLima, told CT Insider. “She denies any allegations that she stole from the university, and she intends to plead not guilty to these charges."
NBC reported UConn is improving its reimbursement system and will add further steps to approve larger expenses.
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How to spot misuse of funds at work
Financial mismanagement in the workplace isn't always as blatant as a faculty member billing their employer for a week at a Disney resort. However, expense fraud is common. A U.K. survey found that 85% of respondents admitted to lying on their expense reports.
Here are a few red flags to keep an eye out for:
- Unexplained or vague expenses: If an expense claim lacks clear business justification or is unusually expensive, it may not be legitimate.
- Receipts that lack branding: Watch for altered receipts. While a gas station receipt might be plain text, restaurants and hotels generally include their logo, addresses and other contact information.
- Repeated last-minute filings: If an employee often files their expenses at the last minute or only offers vague descriptions, it's worth investigating.
Misusing institutional funds, especially at a university, can quietly drain money from legitimate uses. While not all employees are in a position to prevent financial fraud, it's important to recognize the warning signs. To reduce expense fraud in your workplace, advocate for a transparent expense report process. If you suspect fraud, consider filing an anonymous report to protect yourself from potential reprisals.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
