Former Harvard employee pleads guilty to stealing $80,000 from the university
A former 17-year employee of Harvard University pleaded guilty Monday to charges he used a university employee credit card to pay for $80,000 worth of personal items, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s office.
Shawn Bunn, 45, of Waltham, was charged with larceny, false entry in corporate books, and uttering of forged documents last year. He was sentenced to two years in the House of Correction (with three months to serve), and probation for 10 years, according to the DA’s office. He was also ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution to the university.
“For four years the defendant used Harvard University funds for his own purposes,’’ District Attorney Marian Ryan said in a statement. “Instead of university funds enriching the educational experience of Harvard students, as intended, the defendant chose to make personal purchases totaling $80,000.’’
The former computer lab manager was issued a university credit card so he could make purchases for the lab. University policy required that Bunn submit a receipt and explain the purchase reasoning for any item valued at more than $75.
Authorities said Bunn instead billed televisions, Lego sets, iPads, a table saw, and a garbage disposal to the university. The items were found in his home by law enforcement, according to authorities.
Other unauthorized charges included approximately 200 DVDs and 100 CDs, Amazon gift cards, seven controllers for a Nintendo Wii video game console, a grand piano bench, and a Dr. Who Tardis cookie jar, according to the DA’s office.
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