Howard University fires employees accused of $1M theft; Twitter skewers school

Howard University fires employees accused of $1M theft; Twitter skewers school
Howard University. Photo source: Instagram – @howard1867

Howard University, one of the most prestigious and well-known of the institutions among historically black colleges and universities, has been rocked by a financial aid scandal involving the theft of over a million dollars from students.

An anonymous author wrote in an online blog Medium claiming to have receipts that employees at the iconic school stole $1 million in financial aid money that is designed to help students finish their education.


After an internal investigation, six employees have been fired from the school and the school president stated the matter has been turned over to the U.S. Department of Education and other government agencies for legal prosecution “as appropriate,” The Washington Post reports.

The author ignited the massive probe after claiming that a colossal embezzlement scam popped off from 2013-2017 across several departments and employees. The author also said the university’s president, Wayne Fredrick, had knowledge of the theft since last May, yet failed to make the matter public before now.


This whistleblower, who goes by the name “Chase,” discovered inconsistencies in the school’s financial records. The person discerned unusually large grants and stipends that were given to two employees, the associate director of financial aid, Brian Johnson; and student-employee Tyrone Hankerson, under conspicuous circumstances. The two men allegedly received nearly $200,000 and $429,612 respectively, the Washington Post reports.

Howard University’s famous student body and alumni include the likes of Diddy; Phylicia Rashad (“The Cosby Show”); Taraji P. Henson (“Empire,” Acrimony); Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther); Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Toni Morrison (Beloved); Debbie Allen, Thurgood Marshall; Ambassador Andrew Young; Anthony Anderson; Wendy Racquel Robinson; Lance Gross; Ossie Davis; and Omarosa.

The president of Howard has since responded to the explosive story. This is what he had to say:

BREAKING: Anonymous author posts story to Medium with records alleging Howard University stole $1 million dollars in financial aid funds. Howard University has yet to respond to the story’s allegations. https://t.co/VGaGK6eDfP

— The Hilltop (@TheHilltopHU) March 28, 2018

Reactions on social media have been characteristically unforgiving:

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