Former Westfield State University President Evan Dobelle’s personal spending on university credit cards goes well beyond what Dobelle has acknowledged. That’s according to a report released Thursday by the Massachusetts Inspector General.
Dobelle resigned from Westfield State last November, after he was placed on administrative leave. But the Inspector General began looking at Dobelle’s spending months before.
In his report, the IG says Dobelle self-identified and eventually reimbursed $85,000 in personal charges he put on university-related credit cards. But the IG says the number should have been tens of thousand of dollars higher.
One example: the report says Dobelle misled Westfield State’s staff and board about the reasons for his frequent travel to San Francisco — university-funded trips that coincided with social events, including the wedding of a friend’s son.
Dobelle’s lawyer says in a statement that “millions of dollars have been spent to oust Dr. Dobelle and to justify that decision.” Dobelle has sued the school and state officials, saying they tarnished his reputation and violated his contract.