La Salle takes steps to prevent future thefts

With the help of forensic accountants, La Salle University is conducting a thorough review of its financial system to be sure that a multimillion-dollar theft in which an employee is suspected is not repeated, a top school official said Tuesday.

"We're going to review, see what we learned, and make sure we don't make the same mistakes going forward," said William R. Sautter, chairman of the board of trustees.

La Salle officials on Monday confirmed that the school's director of auxiliary services, Stephen C. Greb, was fired this month after officials said they discovered several million dollars missing in an alleged fraud scheme dating back at least 20 years.

Greb, 58, is accused of setting up a fictitious food company through which he authorized payments from La Salle, said university spokesman Joseph Donovan. Greb's job included oversight of food services. He was also in charge of on-campus catering, mail distribution, printing, and the campus store.

Greb has not returned calls for comment.

The District Attorney's Office is investigating, spokeswoman Tasha Jamerson said.

Sautter said he learned of the investigation about a month ago and was "shocked."

"It's a terrible, terrible thing, but hopefully we're going to be made whole," he said. The university has insurance, he noted, and it is seeking restitution.

University officials discovered the fictitious company through an enhanced invoice-control system put in place in recent years.

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