Even as investigations are underway into the alleged hazing death of Marching 100 band member, Robert Champion, Florida A&M University faces more trouble.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), one of the agencies investigating Champion’s death has unearthed possible employee fraud and misconduct at the university, floridatoday.com reports.
Letters were sent to the FAMU board and the State University system head, informing that during their investigation into Champion’s death, possible fraud and misconduct involving several school employees and persons associated with the university, have been uncovered.
Champion, 26, a drum major for the FAMU band collapsed and died after the Florida Classic game in Orlando last month. It is widely believed that he died from hazing.
Shortly after, Champion’s death, the Marching 100 band, one of the signature symbols of the Tallahassee university, was suspended and its director, Julian White fired. Since then, several investigations, including by FDLE and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office have been launched to determine how Champion died.
And on Monday, in a separate incident, three FAMU band members were charged with the hazing of another band member, Bria Shante Hunter for initiation to the “Red Dawg Order,” some three weeks prior to Champion’s death.
23-year-old Sean Hobson and 19-year-old Aaron Golson have been accused of hazing and battery to Hunter. A third band member, James Harris, 22, has also been charged with hazing Hunter. According to news reports, Golson and Harris plan to plead not guilty. It is not clear how Hobson would plea.
