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Hunter Professor Used NIH Funds for Scuba Diving Trips, Fined $575K
In a shocking case of academic corruption, a former Professor at Hunter College in New York has been caught using federal research funds for personal expenses, including scuba diving trips and international flights for his family. Jeffrey Parsons-Hietikko, 55, of Teaneck, New Jersey, was named in a civil fraud lawsuit by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams.
According to the lawsuit, Parsons-Hietikko, who served as Director of Hunter’s Center for HIV Educational Studies, improperly invoiced personal expenses to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds from 2010 to 2018. The expenses included scuba diving trips, international flights for his family, a tropical birthday celebration, and travel for his work as a private consultant. The lawsuit alleges that these impermissible uses of NIH funds violated Hunter College’s certifications to NIH and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that the NIH funds would be used only for allowable research and academic purposes.
Under the settlement approved by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams, Parsons-Hietikko and Hunter College agreed to pay $375,000 and $200,000, respectively, to the United States and made detailed factual admissions regarding their conduct. This is a stark reminder that the misuse of federal research funds will not be tolerated and that those who engage in such behavior will be held accountable.
The lawsuit alleges that Parsons-Hietikko and Hunter College submitted false timekeeping records that misrepresented the time that CHEST staff spent working on NIH grant-related projects, resulting in the use of NIH grant funds to compensate CHEST staff for work performed for private clients.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, “NIH provides funding to academic institutions for the purpose of furthering important research that impacts communities and improves lives. For years, Jeffrey Parsons-Hietikko obtained these funds under false pretenses, then used them to cover his personal expenses and for other purposes totally unrelated to research. Hunter College improperly used NIH funds to pay undisclosed bonuses to Parsons and for other expenses unrelated to NIH-funded work. When individuals and institutions abuse federal grant money, this Office will hold them accountable.”
The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the use of federal research funds. It also underscores the need for academic institutions to ensure that their faculty and staff are not using these funds for personal gain.
Defendant: Jeffrey Parsons-Hietikko
Criminal Charges: Fraudulently using federal research funds
City and State: Teaneck, New Jersey/New York
Exact Date: January 1, 2010 – May 17, 2018
Sentence or Outcome: Fined $375,000 and admitted to misconduct
Dollar Amounts: $375,000 (Parsons-Hietikko) and $200,000 (Hunter College)
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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