University of Sussex kicks out academic wanted on fraud charges (From The Argus)
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University of Sussex kicks out academic wanted on fraud charges
12:02pm Thursday 6th August 2009 in News By Andy Chiles
Erich Kofmel has been expelled by the University of Sussex
A rogue academic wanted by police has launched a vicious parting shot at his university after it expelled him following fraud allegations.
Erich Kofmel described the University of Sussex as a “cesspool of mediocrity” and a “society of non-entities”
after he received news of his expulsion yesterday.
The post-graduate, who had started a doctorate in political theory in 2006, is believed to have been living in his native Switzerland since failing to answer bail with Sussex Police last October.
He had been arrested three months earlier in connection with allegations of fraud in which deposits for nonexistent holidays were stolen through false bank accounts.
He continued to publish academic works.
The university yesterday announced a disciplinary panel led by pro-vice-chancellor Professor Joanne Wright had heard Mr Kofmel’s case and decided to expel him.
It said that he had damaged the interests of the university because he had evaded legal authorities in three countries and had misrepresented the nature of the Sussex Centre For The Individual And Society, the unaffiliated academic school he set up at his house at the Sussex campus.
Prof Wright said: “Actions which blemish the good name of the university are damaging to us all.
“We do not take decisions to expel students lightly and have given this matter thorough consideration.”
The university defended its decision not to take action against Mr Kofmel sooner.
It said it had followed national guidelines which advised universities not to carry out disciplinary processes while police or court proceedings were taking place.
It said it had acted now because conversations with the police had led it to believe no legal action would be completed in the foreseeable future.
The university denied the disciplinary procedure had been prompted by the BBC working on an investigation about Mr Kofmel, whose story was first reported in The Argus last summer.
Mr Kofmel was served with 15 days’ notice of the hearing but asked for it to be postponed and failed to attend.
He attempted to quit the university last week.
In an email to the university, which he forwarded to The Argus, Mr Kofmel said: “Although you cannot expel someone who has already withdrawn, I shall wear it as a badge of honour.”
He accused the university of staining his reputation in a publicity stunt.
Sussex Police is continuing its investigations and has been liaising with authorities in Switzerland and Germany.
Comments(16)
victimsoferich
says...
12:29pm Thu 6 Aug 09
http://erichkofmelin
fo.googlepages.com/?
ref=ARGUS
victimsoferich
says...
12:40pm Thu 6 Aug 09
Can't seem to post URLs above.... just google "Erich Kofmel Argus" and you will find our info page.
Granny
says...
1:23pm Thu 6 Aug 09
cheezburger
says...
1:28pm Thu 6 Aug 09
cheezburger
says...
1:33pm Thu 6 Aug 09
http://erichkofmelin
fo.googlepages.com/
victimsoferich
says...
2:00pm Thu 6 Aug 09
The reprints have been provided (with permission) specifically for putting them on the website.
Randy Lahey
says...
2:29pm Thu 6 Aug 09
thucydides
says...
2:55pm Thu 6 Aug 09
http://www.guardian.
co.uk/money/2006/jan
/22/property.observe
rcashsection
.... but he still managed to con the university.......
victimsoferich
says...
3:24pm Thu 6 Aug 09
Bog Vern
says...
7:06pm Thu 6 Aug 09
TheInsider
says...
7:15pm Thu 6 Aug 09
jeremy radvan
says...
9:46pm Thu 6 Aug 09
Baguette
says...
10:47pm Thu 6 Aug 09
Osama bin there
says...
9:49am Fri 7 Aug 09
TheInsider wrote:You are so right. They would get far better value for money doing an Open University degree.... but the only problem with the OU is that you are expected to do some work, and you won't pass if you aren't good enough.
Most students are being conned when they hand over thousands of pounds to UK universities only to get a few contact hours a week of education and the rest is self education.
Randy Lahey
says...
2:06pm Fri 7 Aug 09
Baguette wrote:You're right, i definitely reckon there is a scotch egg lying somewhere out of shot in that picture.
Looks like that guy out of The Office.
cheezburger says...
12:18pm Thu 6 Aug 09