Dr. Ali Ghalambor, who stepped down as head of UL Lafayette's petroleum engineering department on Feb. 22 but remains a faculty member, for years may have been double billing the university and institutions he visited across the globe.
Dr. Ali Ghalambor, who stepped down as head of UL Lafayette's petroleum engineering department on Feb. 22 but remains a faculty member, for years may have been double billing the university and institutions he visited across the globe, according to a story in this weekend's Advocate. The investigation of Ghalambor's expenses, conducted by the UL System and state legislative auditor, only covers four years, despite that Ghalambor headed the department for more than 15 years. Its findings reveal that the prof, whose annual salary is in excess of $140,000, may have improperly received more than $126,000 from UL. (The newspaper first reported the probe March 6.)
UL President Joe Savoie told the newspaper the university's policy only requires that travel records and expense forms be saved for four years.
The story, however, reveals that UL administrators questioned Ghalambor's expenses, in particular his regular travels back to his native Iran, at least since 2004.
The internal investigation began in December and was finalized last week, according to The Advocate, which noted that Savoie sent a letter to District Attorney Mike Harson on Thursday. Harson did not return the paper's phone calls.
Savoie also said discussions about restitution and Ghalambor's employment at the university were under way.
Read the rest of Saturday's story here.