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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A grand jury has indicted Karen Pletz, the former CEO of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, on 24 criminal charges. U.S. Attorney for Western Missouri Beth Phillips says the indictment contains three different types of fraudulent claims, which occurred between 2002 and 2009.
"It alleges that she received $1.5 million in unauthorized compensation, improper reimbursement for personal expenses, and then made fraudulent claims regarding charitable contributions," Phillips said.
Phillips says the most serious charges carry sentences of up to 10 years.
Pletz's lawyer entered a not guilty plea on her behalf in a federal court in Kansas City this morning.
Pletz led KCUMB from 1995 to 2009. Last year, the university sued Pletz, alleging she spent more than $2 million of university assets for personal activities. Pletz filed a countersuit. The case is pending in Jackson county court.
Pletz's next appearance in federal court is at the end of next month.
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