A former Alpha Phi adviser was relieved from her duties after officials discovered money missing from the sorority’s account.
Lisa Riggs, a former university employee and an alumna, also was charged in federal court last week with wire fraud for unauthorized purchases on university credit cards.
Riggs served as the chapter property committee president for the Delta Delta chapter of Alpha Phi until April of this year, according to a statement the chapter released last week to Student Publications.
“The Delta Delta chapter of Alpha Phi found discrepancies during an audit of the CPC financial records,” according to the statement.
Emily Ousley, the sorority’s president, said Alpha Phi headquarters began an investigation after finding the discrepancies.
Financial information dating back to 2006 was submitted to Alpha Phi International Executive Office, the chapter’s insurance company, a forensic accountant, and the FBI.
“Based on the information regarding the monetary loss of the chapter, the insurance company reimbursed the chapter,” according to the statement.
The insurance company reimbursed the sorority more than $50,000, Ousley said.
“Alpha Phi’s CPC and chapter advisory board take financial accountability very seriously and have worked over the past two years to bring transparency and added financial controls to all aspects of the organization,” the statement reads.
Riggs also was the executive assistant to former president Tom McDaniel from May 2004 to July 2010. She worked for a vice president from July 2010 until April 2011, and the dean of Meinders School of Business from April 2011 to November 2011.
Riggs was charged Sept. 18 with wire fraud in the western district of Oklahoma for unauthorized purchases on university credit cards.
The credit cards were specified for university-related purchases only.
She spent more than $104,000 on purchases including gas, groceries, apparel, travel, wireless phone service, and payments on an Oklahoma Pikepass account between May 2004 and November 2011, according to the affidavit.
Riggs ignored a request for an audit and did not provide documentation of her purchases, according to the affidavit.
The Sept. 18 charges do not reflect funds stolen from Alpha Phi. When the case goes to court, the judge will be made aware of the situation, Ousley said.
Riggs could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of no more than $250,000 if convicted. Riggs lawyer refused last week to comment on the case.
Riggs is married to John Riggs, former dean of students and OCU alum.
Editor’s note: Emily Ousley was hired as Student Publications community manager during the course of reporting this story. Her leadership positions with Student Publications and Alpha Phi sorority are unrelated.
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