Connecticut governor Ned Lamont called for an independent audit of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system last week, following a report that CSCU chancellor Terrence Cheng spent lavishly on meals and chauffeured rides to his New York residence, CT Mirror reported.
The report flagged multiple meals costing more than $400 and noted that Cheng frequently failed to turn in some receipts, to itemize others and to list guests for meals he expensed.
Cheng has defended his spending and benefits as typical of the higher education sector. However, Lamont, a Democrat, has pushed ahead with the request for an audit.
“Recent reports of controversial spending decisions have raised serious concerns about the transparency and accountability of CSCU’s financial management,” Lamont said in a letter to the state comptroller requesting a “comprehensive report” on the system’s finances, including reviews of purchases, spending on meals and entertainment, the use of state-owned vehicles, and more.
The system is made up of both four-year and two-year institutions with sites across the state. (The University of Connecticut, which is grappling with a budget deficit, is not part of the CSCU.)
The CSCU system has also dealt with a significant budget shortfall in recent years.
Former legislator Roberta Willis told CT Insider, which conducted the investigation into Cheng’s spending, “If the community colleges weren’t in such tough shape, it wouldn’t be so disturbing.”
