NEW YORK – Four men have been convicted in a computer-savvy scheme to steal almost $6 million from Columbia University by tampering with its bill-payment system.
Jurors delivered their verdict Tuesday against George Castro, Jeremy Dieudonne, Joseph Pineras, and Walter Stephens Jr.
The Manhattan district attorney's office says the scam entailed manipulating Columbia's vendor-payment system to siphon off money that was meant for a hospital.
Prosecutors say the money was diverted into a bank account held by Castro's information technology business. Some cash later went into accounts held by Dieudonne and Stephens.
Pineras worked in Columbia's finance department. Prosecutors say he got about $10,000 for aiding the scheme.
The defense said the men didn't realize money was being stolen. Some defendants pinned blame on a fifth man who testified against them.
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