Lang
9/12/24
Criminal charges have been filed against a former University of Iowa employee accused of misappropriating almost $1 million of university money.
State auditor Rob Sand issued a 305 page report earlier this month accusing 45-year-old
Brian Busch…the former head of the UI Department of Physics and Astronomy machine shop…of depositing 943,634.97 of university money into his personal bank account. The money was intended for jobs completed by university staff and using UI equipment, meaning it should have been deposited to the University’s bank account.
The UI placed Busch on paid administrative leave effective in September of 2021. Sand questioned that decision in light of previous issues the UI had with Busch in 2019 when he had to repay over $3,500 for a separate incident.
A copy of the report can be found at https://www.auditor.iowa.gov/reports/file/77540.pdf.
Busch was booked into the Johnson County Jail just after 4:00 Thursday afternoon and charged with 1st Degree Theft, Tampering With Records, Ongoing Criminal Conduct and 1st Degree Fraudulent Practices. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum of 47 years in prison.