From Dallas Express · Dallas Express · · 1m 20s
Nigerian Professor Sentenced for Student Aid Fraud
Former Texas professor gets 78 months for $921,000 student aid fraud scheme.
In brief
Former Texas professor gets 78 months for $921,000 student aid fraud scheme. Emmanuel Olugbaike Finnih, a Nigerian-born former Texas Southern University adjunct professor, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for a student financial aid fraud scheme that obtained over $921,000 and left victims with debt…
Sentence imposed
Emmanuel Olugbaike Finnih, 43, a naturalized u.s. citizen originally from nigeria, will serve 78 months in federal prison for student aid fraud.
Fraud scheme details
Finnih submitted over 100 fraudulent financial aid applications using other people's identities across texas colleges and universities.
Funds obtained
The scheme resulted in $921,189.08 in disbursements from federal grants and loans.
Victim impact
Victims were left with tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, damaged credit, and hindered legitimate school enrollment.
Identity manipulation
Finnih changed female straw students' names to masculine while retaining their correct social security numbers and birth dates.
Prosecutor statement
U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz said, 'Higher education costs are already skyrocketing out of control, and it's scammers like Finnih who make it worse.'
“Higher education costs are already skyrocketing out of control, and it's scammers like Finnih who make it worse”
Investigation
The Department of Education's Office of Inspector General investigated with assistance from lone star college police and u.s. marshals.
The main idea
Emmanuel Olugbaike Finnih, a Nigerian-born former Texas Southern University adjunct professor, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for a student financial aid fraud scheme that obtained over $921,000 and left victims with debt.
