A federal court has accused a Washington University official of embezzling $300,000 and spending the money on jewelry, personal shopping, and international travel.
The U.S. District Court on Thursday indicted 37-year-old Barbara Skudrzyk, the former business director of Washington University’s Division of Medical Education, on six counts of mail fraud.
The prosecutors alleged Skudrzyk of stealing money from the university funds over a period of eight years from 2010 to 2018 and spending it to pay for painting and flooring her house along with other personal expenses.
Prosecutors say Skudrzyk bought visa gift cards worth $140,000 at the university bookstore and used the cards at various retailers and restaurants. She also used a part of the money to travel to various international destinations, including Thailand, Germany, Poland, and Australia.
Meanwhile, Skudrzyk’s attorney Nicholas Williams has said that she would plead not guilty next week.