A 55-year-old UC San Francisco official has been sentenced after stealing $1.5 million in school fees between 2013 and 2019. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
A University of California San Francisco (UCSF) principal has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after stealing $1.5 million in tuition payments while “deep in the thick of” gambling and drugs.
Use of a variety of “designer” drugs or party and gambling drugs[ing] Away from all her savings.”
According to court filings, Sandra “Sandy” Elaine Lu, 55, was a UC San Francisco School of Nursing faculty member. While Lou maintained a controlled personality at work, when she wasn’t working, she was doing “a variety of designer drugs or party and gambling drugs.”[ing] Far from all her savings.
From 2013 to 2019, Lee deposited approximately 300 student tuition checks into her personal bank account. The principal is said to have asked the students to make checks in her name or give her money. Le also had students write checks to RSG Fine Jewelry, a company of which Le was a regular customer.
In addition to using the money for gambling and drugs, Lu spent the stolen money on expensive trips, jewelry, wallets, and home improvements.
However, it was not until 2019 that auditors began to question the finances of the College of Nursing’s post-master’s program. When auditors asked to see Lee’s work data, she left, claiming to be ill, and never returned.
Lu was sentenced to three counts of wire fraud.
