The former manager of the machine shop at the University of Iowa’s Department of Physics and Astronomy is under scrutiny following findings from a state audit released on Wednesday. According to State Auditor Rob Sand, Brian Busch reportedly deposited approximately $1 million, which should have been allocated to the university, into his personal accounts. The audit revealed that Busch did not disclose his ownership of a company called D3Signtech. Over a period spanning from July 2017 to September 2021, Busch allegedly received $943,635 from a different company for services provided by D3Signtech, using university resources.
The University of Iowa took swift action by placing Busch on administrative leave in September 2021 once the issue came to light, leading to the subsequent state audit. In response to the situation, the university emphasized their commitment to safeguarding the interests of taxpayers, students, and families. Despite attempts to reach out to Busch for comment, a disconnected phone listing and an email bounce-back indicated his unavailability for a response.
It remains uncertain whether Busch will face criminal charges in connection with the incident at this time. The university’s proactive measures upon discovering the potential misconduct demonstrate their dedication to transparency and accountability in handling financial matters.
