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Statement by University of Minnesota General Counsel 

Mark Rotenberg Regarding Sainfort/Jacko Indictments

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (03/09/2011) —The following is a statement by University of Minnesota General Counsel Mark Rotenberg regarding the criminal indictments of professors Francois Sainfort and Julie Jacko:

This morning the University of Minnesota was informed that professors Francois Sainfort and Julie Jacko were each indicted on multiple felony counts by a grand jury in the state of Georgia. According to the Georgia Attorney General, the indictment alleges that Sainfort and Jacko "conspired to be employed full time and receive salary from Georgia Tech while simultaneously being employed full time and collecting salary from the University of Minnesota. The indictment also charges that the two fraudulently billed Georgia Tech for travel expenses, inappropriately directed payments to a relative, and lied about their dual employment and the purpose of the Georgia Tech-funded travel."

On December 14, 2010 Professors Sainfort and Jacko were disciplined by the university after a review of the facts surrounding their transition from the Georgia Institute of Technology to the University of Minnesota in 2007-2008.  Both professors received letters of reprimand and were required to pay the university approximately $59,000.  As part of their reprimands, the university advised them that there may be grounds for further university review and action in the event material new facts come to light.

Professors Sainfort and Jacko's employment activities at the university will be managed in accordance with relevant University Human Resources policies, and the university will adhere to all regulatory notification requirements governing any affected sponsored research in which the professors are involved.