Osman pleads guilty to fraud
Published March 14, 2007
A former MU employee pleaded guilty Monday to charges that he purchased personal items with a university credit card.
Robert Osman, who was assistant director for the Recreation Services and Facilities Department, was arrested in December 2005 on suspicion of three counts of fraudulent use of a credit device.
Recreation Department Director Diane Dahlmann said Osman had worked with the department for seven years before the allegations were brought against him.
"I find the whole situation very sad for him," she said. "All of the individuals that worked with him felt very saddened."
MU spokeswoman Mary Jo Banken declined to comment about the development.
Osman was responsible for purchasing supplies for the Student Recreation Complex. MU employees and student groups often use university credit cards to make purchases for university business.
According to court documents, Osman allegedly purchased a 52-inch television from Best Buy, a shower base from Lowe's Home Improvement and a custom-built shower door from Binswanger Glass. The fraud allegedly occurred on three occasions in December 2004 and July 2005 and the purchase totaled $5,096, the documents stated.
Dahlmann said the department first noticed the irregularities in October 2005. She said all purchases must be reported and that she also approves all requests.
In a previous interview with The Maneater, Banken said all purchases more than $100 must be approved by a supervisor and that university policy dictates that all university credit card purchases must be reported to a supervisor.
In December 2005, Osman's employment was terminated and he was arrested.
"After Osman's employment was terminated, the department involvement ended and was continued by MUPD," Dahlmann said.
MU police arrested Osman and recovered the fraudulently purchased items from his home.
Osman previously pleaded guilty to all three counts both when criminal charges were filed in December 2005 and when he was indicted by a grand jury in September 2006, according to court documents.
His final disposition is scheduled for May 14.
At his final disposition, Osman could face a sentence of up to four years in prison or a $5,000 fine.