A former high-ranking official at Washington University has admitted to embezzling over $300,000 from the institution.
Barbara ‘Basia’ Skudrzyk, 38, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to three counts of mail fraud in a St. Louis federal court, according to a plea agreement.
Skudrzyk, who served as the Business Director for the Division of Medical Education at Washington University, began her scheme in May 2010 and continued through July 31, 2018.
She defrauded the university by hiring contractors and service providers to perform personal services for her benefit, creating and submitting false invoices and W-9 tax forms to make it appear as if they had performed work for the Division of Medical Education.
Skudrzyk approved and processed payment to these contractors and service providers from Washington University’s funds, which included a moving company, a home cleaning service, a divorce law firm, residential painters and construction companies, a jewelry boutique, a babysitter, and various other vendors and contractors.
She also purchased VISA gift cards at the Washington University bookstore, forging another university employee’s signature on the receipts and charging the purchases to the Division of Medical Education, before using the gift cards for her own personal use.
The plea agreement states that Skudrzyk falsified and changed invoices from two different travel companies for airline flights for herself and her family to various destinations around the world, including Krakow, Poland, Munich, Germany, Bangkok, Thailand, Toronto, Canada, West Palm Beach, Florida, New York City, and Dallas and San Antonio, Texas.
Skudrzyk submitted, processed, and approved these falsified invoices in order to get Washington University to pay for the personal trips.
Skudrzyk’s sentencing is scheduled for March 8, 2019, and she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The case is being investigated by the Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance and cooperation of Washington University.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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