Former Fairmont State V-P Convicted Of Embezzlement, Tax Charges

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CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A former vice-president at Fairmont State University has been convicted of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the school through the use of a state-issued purchasing card.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that DAVID A. TAMM, age
45, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, entered guilty pleas today before Judge Irene M. Keeley in Clarksburg federal court to “Embezzlement from State Agency Receiving Federal Funds” and “Making and Subscribing a False Tax Return for Tax Year 2012.”

TAMM, the former Chief Information Officer at the school, admitted that from October of 2007 until January of 2013, he embezzled and stole funds from Fairmont State, including funds from federal education grants. TAMM also admitted to filing a false tax return for the 2012 tax year by reporting substantially less income than he had actually received.

TAMM, who is free on bond pending sentencing, faces up to ten years in prison on the embezzlement charge and up to three years in prison on the tax charge.

"Mr. Tamm took money belonging to one of our state universities and then used it to purchase a beautiful home, luxury automobiles, and expensive jewelry for his wife," said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld. "This is another case of someone abusing a position of trust to live a lifestyle otherwise unobtainable on one’s salary alone."

The investigation revealed that TAMM purchased hundreds of computer switches with his state purchasing card and then resold them for cash, receiving approximately $650,000 from the scheme. TAMM also used his purchasing card to acquire high-end electronics for his personal use.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew R. Cogar and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations and the Fairmont State University Police.

If anyone has information regarding public corruption in their community they are encouraged to call the West Virginia Public Corruption Hotline at 1-855-WVA-FEDS (1-855-982-3337), or to send an email to wvafeds@usdoj.gov.