Earlier this week, an anonymous whistleblower spilled the tea about an internal investigation into Howard’s financial aid office that uncovered the misappropriation of University-based grants. While the investigation led to the firing of six University employees, the anonymous report exposed one student-employee in particular that reportedly benefited from the scandal.
According to the now-deleted Medium exposé, Howard University law student, Tyrone Hankerson Jr., managed to steal $429,000 from funds earmarked for financial aid, as he worked as a student-employee in the office. However, not only was Hankerson accused of stealing the money, but also using it to fund a lifestyle of luxury.
But now, after widespread social media backlash, Hankerson is ready to clear his name. In fact, the alleged scam artist has hired an attorney to help him set the record straight.
According to the Grio, Hankerson recently discussed the controversy with Roland Martin for the first time since his name had been dragged through the mud in connection to the scandal.
“It’s been an extremely difficult time as you can imagine,” Hankerson told Martin. “I am trying to remain optimistic about this situation although it has been a challenge, particularly about going to class worrying about safety and welfare concerns.”
Lucky for Hankerson though, he is expected to graduate from law school in two months. However, as for the allegations that he managed to steal almost half a million dollars from his University, Hankerson said it’s not true. In fact, he claimed most of the information that was leaked about him is inaccurate, but it’s all part of a bigger plan to set up the school’s president.
“I have not embezzled anymore ever and I have not taken or embezzled $429,000 from Howard University,” Hankerson said. “That is absolutely false.”
According to Hankerson’s lawyer, the money his client used to fund his lavish lifestyle was from a student stipend he was given for working at the school. On top of that, he said Hankerson only received about $200,000 from the school during his undergrad years, since he was a full-time, year-round student. Apparently, he’d been at the school for seven years, and worked in the financial office from 2011 to 2015, essentially as an assistant to the directors.
Although Hankerson has denied all wrongdoing, the backlash is still in full effect, which has forced him to deactivate his social media accounts. But, the evidence of his lavish living remains.
