WASHINGTON
Suspended American University president Benjamin Ladner has provided a $21,000 check to cover limousine bills and some of the other expenses under investigation by school trustees.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Ladner acknowledged some mistakes but contended much of the spending questioned by auditors was consistent with his contract.
“Did I use some bad judgment? Sure. I’m the first one to say I’ve made mistakes,” he told the newspaper.
But he disputed an audit that questioned at least $500,000 in travel costs and other expenses over the past three years, including thousands of dollars charged by Ladner’s wife to the university for household furnishings, food and beverages. Most of the spending was allowed under his contract with the private school, Ladner told the Post.
Ladner said his check to the university included reimbursement for at least $1,000 worth of limousine rides taken by his wife.
AU’s board of trustees placed Ladner on administrative leave last month while auditors and outside lawyer investigate his spending. Provost Cornelius Kerwin is serving as acting president of the 11,000-student school.
— Associated Press
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