University Finds $275,000 in Office

TAMPA, Fla. – Three University of South Florida officials were fired after the school discovered $275,000 in misplaced checks and cash scattered throughout an office.

Nearly half the money at the school’s English Language Institute – $133,647 – was in checks up to 10 years old and could not be deposited, said university spokeswoman Michelle Carlyon.

The cash and checks Dec. 21 were found inside desks and underneath books and office machines, among other places, Carlyon said.

The discovery comes about a month after a state audit of the university found lax financial controls. On Friday, the financial council reviewing the state audit recommended reducing the number of departments that collect money and training workers to keep better financial records.