Crime & Safety

Ex-GCC Pres. Charged with Forgery

Dr. Russell Davis faces 11 counts for allegedly signing the name of a college official to obtain money designated for his pension account.

The recently resigned president of Gloucester County College has been charged with multiple counts of forgery over a 13-month period, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office said Friday.

Dr. Russell Davis, who resigned as president two weeks ago, faces 10 counts of forgery for allegedly signing the name of a Gloucester County College official responsible for authorizing the submission of loan applications to the college pension fund, in order to obtain pension funds allocated to himself.

An 11th count of forgery alleges the same official's signature was forged for a hardship application to withdraw funds from Davis’ pension account. The alleged forgeries occurred between Feb. 9, 2010, and March 14, 2011.

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There is no allegation that funds belonging to the college were taken, and no indication of other criminal wrongdoing by Davis, and the charges filed do not allege any misuse of the college president’s office to obtain pension funds.

However, an audit will be conducted of any college accounts Davis could have accessed, to determine whether there are any improper actions taken with any of those accounts.

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Through the college legal counsel, county Prosecutor Sean Dalton has asked that anything remotely out of the ordinary be referred to his office.

Gloucester County Freeholder Director Robert Damminger said in a statement that he was "pleased" the investigation hadn't turned up any evidence of misuse of college funds at this point.

"However, we also realize that even the slightest perception of impropriety when it comes to financial dealings with a public institution is troubling," Damminger said.

He added that the staff and Board of Trustees at the college, which is an autonomous institution, assured him that a full audit is already underway to ferret out any other possible misdealing.

"If this audit uncovers improper use of college funds or assets, those responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. At a minimum, this audit will help insure that all necessary financial controls and safeguards are implemented so that this cannot happen again," Damminger said. "We trust that the Board of Trustees will maintain the day-to-day operations of the college so there is no interruption of services provided to the students and that the solid reputation that has been earned by GCC continues to be maintained."

In addition, the New Jersey Comptroller’s Office is undertaking a review of the compensation of all community college presidents in the state. That action followed the resignation of a Monmouth County community college president amid allegations of improper spending.

The forgery charges were served on Davis when he agreed to appear at the prosecutor’s office Friday. He was released on his own recognizance.


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