NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The former bursar at the City College of New York has been charged with stealing nearly $500,000 from over 700 current and former students.
Joseph Boselli, 58, was charged Tuesday with stealing more than 900 checks that were intended for the students at the New York City college between August 2012 and November 2017, according to Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance.
The checks ranged in amounts from $4 to $3,318, according to the DA's office, and were intended for students who were owed money from the college, "typically because they received a stipend or scholarship, or because they had pre-paid tuition or fees prior to the school receiving a loan or other payment."
Instead of forwarding the money to the students, Boselli is accused of using the checks to fund trips to California, Florida, Italy and Aruba. He also used the money to purchase items from Gucci, Luxury Goods Italia S.P.A and Blue Nile LLC, an online jewelry company.
According to the DA, Boselli would often forge student signatures on the back of the checks and some of the checks appeared to have "pay to the order of Joseph Boselli" written on them.
Boselli typically deposited the stolen checks into his personal bank accounts using an ATM, the DA's office added.
"Many New Yorkers who take advantage of the world-class public education at their doorsteps still face enormous financial burdens thanks to the high cost of living here," said District Attorney Vance. "The last thing students and their families need to worry about is university employees stealing money that is rightfully owed to them."
When students would inquire about their missing money, Vance noted that Boselli would tell them the matter was under investigation.
In at least two instances, he arranged for The City College Fund to award aid to the students and provided them with that check, instead of the original one they were owed, the DA said.
The investigation into Boselli's alleged actions began in 2017, when he was placed on administrative leave. He was officially let go in October 2019.
Boselli was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court Tuesday on charges of second-degree grand larceny, first-degree scheme to defraud and offering a false instrument for filing.
In a statement, CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez said the college was "pleased" to be working with the Manhattan District Attorney's office and others on the case.
"This case is an example of CUNY's continued commitment to identify and eradicate allegations of corruption, fraud, criminal activity, and conflicts of interest by promptly referring such instances to the appropriate authorities and cooperating fully with the investigations," he said. "I commend everyone at CUNY and in law enforcement for their hard work on this case."
