Ex-Central Arkansas President Abruptly Resigns Fla. University Post

The two pertinent lines from The Palm Beach Post are: “He just seemed to be concerned about something in Arkansas, and he felt he needed to attend to it.”; and “The grand jury has not yet issued its findings.”

As the Post phrased it, “Hardin cited “personal and family reasons” for his abrupt departure.” Gee, does this have anything to do with the fact that Hardin received the $300,000 bonus two years ahead of schedule on the basis of a memo he admitted authoring even though it was attributed to three university Vice-Presidents?

The interesting point that is left out is: why was he receiving a bonus in the first place? Academic leaders should be fairly compensated, but they should be motivated by a dedication to improving the quality of their schools rather than focusing on the bottom line or as in this case lining bottoms of their pockets. This is another shining example of how corporate practices encourage innovative approaches to ethics and self-promotion in academia.

On top of that one has to wonder whether such practices led to the $1,230,639 in budget cuts UCA ended up making in early 2010.

From the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:
Hardin pleads guilty to federal charges
By Gavin Lesnick

LITTLE ROCK —
Former University of Central Arkansas President Lu Hardin pleaded guilty Monday to federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering related to a scheme to deceive the school’s board of trustees into giving him nearly $200,000.

Hardin entered guilty pleas before U.S. District Judge James Moody shortly after 10 a.m. He repeatedly told the judge he was “taking full responsibility” for his actions, which occurred months before he resigned from UCA in 2008.

Hardin did not answer questions as he left the courtroom alongside his wife and his attorney, Chuck Banks.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Pat Harris said in court that Harding’s criminal activity began in April 2008 when he forged a letter to the board of trustees suggesting it was legal for a $300,000 deferred compensation package to be paid to Hardin immediately. The letter purported to be signed by UCA officials, including its vice president and chief counsel, but it was actually written by Hardin without their knowledge.

“The letter was false,” Harris said. “Mr. Hardin knew it was false … He intended to deceive the board of trustees.”

The board approved the request and Harding received $198,000 of the bonus, which was to be paid 5 years after the compensation package was set in 2005. Harris said Hardin needed the money to pay off “pressing financial debts.”

Hardin resigned effective Sept. 16, 2008 after controversy erupted over the awarding of the bonus.

Hardin had been working as the president of Palm Beach Atlantic University, but he abruptly resigned that position on Friday.

Sentencing will be done at a later date. The wire fraud count carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison while the money laundering conviction is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Each carries a fine of up to $250,000.

Moody advised Hardin and Banks that he would look at federal sentencing guidelines in determining the sentence, but noted they are not mandatory. Hardin told the judge he and his attorney had considered the guidelines, which offer a range of sentencing options based on numerous factors.

“We have in detail looked at the sentencing guidelines and fully understand downward departure to be a possibility,” Hardin said, suggesting some of the factors could produce a lighter sentence. “… We’ve analyzed this in detail.”

Moody said there would be no restitution ordered because Hardin has already paid the money back. Hardin said during the proceeding that it was repaid “within several weeks of the loss.”

“Mr. Kokabee is being held on charges of having “relations with a hostile country””

How does one engage in coitus with a country, let alone a hostile country?