Michael Tae Kim Ahlers, 49, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and tax evasion related to the embezzlement.
Mr. Ahlers was the administrative officer for the occupational therapy education department at the medical center. He was responsible for conducting administrative tasks and financial transactions, such as purchasing, billing and grant management, for the department.
Prosecutors said Mr. Athlers used his position to steal more than $500,000 to pay personal expenses between 2009 and 2015.
In an effort to conceal the scheme, Mr. Athlers allegedly took steps to circumvent the university’s finance and audit department. Prosecutors said he deposited funds into a credit union account rather than forwarding them to the medical center’s institutional finance and administration department, allowing him to avoid oversight.
Mr. Ahlers also failed to include the embezzled funds on his federal tax returns, prosecutors said.
His sentencing is scheduled for May 13.
More articles on legal and regulatory issues:
Chicago VA medical center supervisor charged in $1.7M kickback scheme
3 nurses sue Pennsylvania hospitals over alleged ‘no-poach’ deal
Florida woman agrees to settle charges in $400M healthcare fraud case
