Lang
9/4/24
Iowa auditor Rob Sand held a news conference on Wednesday to discuss his office’s findings of alleged misappropriation of almost $1 million from the University of Iowa Physics and Astronomy Department by the department’s former machine shop manager.
The report indicates Brian Busch may have used University assets and staff to divert revenue from the UI to his own personal business. Sand reported the special investigation identified $943,634.97 was deposited into Busch’s personal bank accounts. The money was received for jobs Busch’s company completed using University staff and equipment. Because UI staff and equipment was used, the money received 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.
Sand was asked why the University didn’t first investigate with its own internal auditors. He said state law under the current gubernatorial administration does not require the UI to have such auditors on staff.
A copy of the report can be found at https://www.auditor.iowa.gov/reports/file/77540.pdf. Sands’ entire news conference can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dYI1nRZDe4.
The Iowa City Police Department is continuing its investigation.