A prosecutor found that Don Pederson, the University of Arkansas' vice chancellor for finance and administration, didn't make false statements or provide false documents to the Legislative Audit Committee, according to a news release from the university.
Fourteen legislators requested the investigation because Pederson had signed a letter connected to the audit stating that he had no knowledge of allegations of fraud involving management or other key employees. The legislators noted a letter from Jean Schook that pointed out problems in accounting for the Advancement Division.
Pederson and Schook knew there had been a breakdown in controls but did not know of any allegations of fraud or wrongdoing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David G. Bercaw wrote in a letter to the legislators. The letter also notes that no fraud was found.
“I appreciate the careful attention to this matter made by the prosecuting attorney’s office and agree completely with the findings of this review," Pederson said in the university news release. "The report speaks for itself.”