In a troubling development, a former employee of St. Catherine University in Minnesota, Laura Jean Fero, and her romantic partner, contractor Juan Bruce, have been accused of embezzling over $400,000 from the institution. The pair faces six felony counts of theft by swindling, as detailed in court documents filed in Ramsey County District Court. While Fero was arrested and booked into the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center, Bruce’s court appearance is scheduled for June 6, with prosecutors expressing flight risk concerns and requesting a $100,000 bond.

Internal Investigations and Suspected Embezzlement

The alleged embezzlement scheme came to light after Fero departed from her position as the dean of nursing at St. Catherine University. An internal investigation revealed unauthorized payments made by Fero, who had the authority to administer grants and approve university expenditures. The university’s suspicions were raised when discrepancies in payments to Bruce and his company, JB & Associates LLC, were uncovered. The investigation led to the discovery of a significant loss amounting to approximately $400,000, prompting the university to report the matter to law enforcement.

Romantic Relationship and Compromised Integrity

Further complicating the situation, Fero and Bruce were romantically involved, as evidenced by emails exchanged between them. These emails, obtained by the St. Paul Police Department, indicated a deep emotional connection between the two and revealed Fero’s assistance to Bruce in the preparation of reports submitted to the university. Additionally, discrepancies were found in the reports provided by Bruce after Fero’s departure, suggesting potential collusion to cover up fraudulent activities. The university emphasized that Fero’s actions violated its workplace policy on conflicts of interest.

Confessions and Revelations

During questioning, Fero initially denied any romantic involvement with Bruce and claimed they met professionally. However, she later admitted to meeting him on a dating website and concealing their relationship due to perceived conflicts of interest. Fero’s admission to editing documents submitted by Bruce and her subsequent arrest shed light on the extent of their alleged collaboration. Moreover, records of their shared travels further underscored the depth of their relationship and raised additional questions about potential misconduct.

The allegations of embezzlement and misconduct involving Fero and Bruce have cast a shadow over St. Catherine University. As legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding integrity and transparency in academic institutions and the repercussions of violating ethical standards.