Pell Grant scandal reaches dramatic close, Russell jailed By LIAM FITZGERALD the name given to such acts the school may reported a total of $173,744. spending money used (by student athletes) heard, rather he was approached the fol­ Contributing Editor be sanctioned for. to buy beer and food and purchase elec­ While his son Twan, a linebacker for the It is a burden that has hung over the Two Miami football players, linebacker Hurricanes looked on, Russell, 46, simply lowing spring by Russell, who inquired as tronics and other luxury items and subsi­ to why Costa had not yet applied for a Pell University of Miami Athletic Department Rusty Medearis, who is attempting a dized travel," Assistant U.S. Attorney repeated what he had said many times for three years, though with the imprison­ comeback after a career-threatening before, that no Miami student had any Grant yet. Though Costa ignored this Martin Goldberg said in a pre-sentence question, Russell did not back off, attempt­ ment of a major culprit, the malodorous injury, and Frank Costa, testified last memorandum. involvement in the scheme that included at Pell Grant scandal Thursday that the opportunities to get least 57 football players from 1989 to ing again a few weeks later. Medearis and Costa walked away from "He said 'This is your money. Just come appears to finally be fraudulent Pell Grants was for the most the trial, not receiving any sentencing for 1991. drawing to a close. part common knowledge among UM ath­ "I'm glad it's over," Russell said in to the office and get it.' " Costa said. "I their actions, since they had cooperated thought it was a great situation. I heard Following a three- letes. Athletes who compete in basketball, and made agreements to make restitution. court Thursday. "What I did was wrong. I year government inves­ baseball, tennis, crew, golf and track also acted alone. I accept full responsibility. It's other players were doing it. I figured they They were also entered in a pre-trial had done it and hadn't gotten caught. I tigation into Pell Grant looked into getting a piece of the action. diversion program. been a hard three years...This is the happi­ fraud, former UM aca­ Both Medearis and Costa received Pell est day of my life." trusted Tony." Russell pleaded guilty last June to a fed­ All Costa had to do was give Russell the demic counselor Grants that Russell had arranged by falsi­ eral fraud charge in an investigation This, however, was not the first time Anthony Russell was fying applications and tax forms. Along the elder Russell had committed fraud. names of his family members, while Rus­ involving 91 student athletes at UM. sell filled in everything else, including his sentenced last Thurs­ with many other athletes, the two players At last Thursday's trial, he was accused Russell illegally obtained Pell Grant day to three years in sought out Russell when they heard how funds for students as an assistant coach at family's yearly income and marital status. of forging forms for the program, which Fulfilling another request of Russell, federal prison. cheap the Pell Grants were being offered provided needy students with grants to West Virginia State College from Septem­ UM is not of the to athletes. ber 1987 through June 1989. He resigned Medearis and Costa forged their parents help pay for tuition. He was also accused of signatures. Kussell woods completely, how­ "Eighty-five dollars turns into $1,500," charging from $85 to $100 as fees for his position when the school discovered he ever. The school still Medearis said. After hearing from former handing over the grants. was using postage for personal use. When Goldberg questioned Costa as to faces an NCAA investigation which could teammates Bryan Fortay and Jason When the fraudulent Pell Grant pay­ During the trial, Costa said he had whether he thought football players lead to sanctions if the NCAA determines Marucci, Medearis "thought it was a ments were totaled, the amount came out informed of Russell's scheme when he first received special treatment, Costa elicited the fraud scam should have been detected pretty good deal." to an astonishing $240,263, as reported by arrived in Miami as a freshman in the fall a simple, truthful response. earlier. "Lack of institutional control" is "The money obtained wrongly became the Associated Press. The Miami Herald of 1990. Costa did not act on what he "Yes," Costa answered. Med School Sharp shooter Board of Trustees studying insulin use powers decisions By LUCIA SOBRIN the residential colleges, the By MADELINE BARO Hurricane Staff Writer amount of money which will be Hurricane Slatt Writer The University of Miami Board allocated to the library and heiw The University of Miami School of Trustees plays a crucial role in much of the budget will go towards erf Medicine, along with nine other setting the University's policy and student scholarships. At the last centers natiemwide, is participating managing its financial affairs. month's meeting, the Board in a study to delay or prevent Insu­ "|The Board of Trusteesl is the decided whether or not tei grant lin-Dependent Diabetes (Type I ultimate governing authority of the tenure to University professors Diabetes) through the use of insu­ University," said Cyrus Jolivette, who had submitted tenure applica­ lin. secretary of the University. tions. Insulin-Dependent diabetes is The Board's scope of authority The Board of Trustees also over­ caused when a person's immune covers all aspects of the Univer­ sees the construction that goes on system destroys the body's insu­ sity. at the University. The Master lin-producing cells, known as beta "The role of the board is to set Planning and Construction Com­ cells. Insulin, a hormone, is neces­ the policy of the University and mittee has set long-term goals for sary to sustain life. assure financial solvency. It plays the campus's physical enhance­ Type I Diabetes usually develops an advisory role for the University ment. in people under age 40 and is ... members are advocates for the iic.iie*el through the use of insulin University on a local and national "We are trying tei build a campus injections. The study will treat peo­ level," said Rose Ellen Greene, that is attractive and builds a fine ple who are at a high risk of devel- vice chairman of the Board's Aca­ quality erf life statement for the stu­ eipmg the disease with insulin demic Affairs Committee. dents at the university." said before they develeip the disease. James W. McLamore, Chairman "We think that it may be possible Created in 1934, the present Emeritus of the Board. to delay Type I Diabetes, if not Board of Trustees now has 86 The Board of Trustees approved prevent it," Study Coordinator members including elected mem­ a site for the Wellness Center and Lisa Rafkin-Mervis said. bers, alumni representatives, ex- found the necessary funding for it. The study will consist of two tri­ officio members and emeriti mem­ It was also responsible for the cre­ als. The first trial will involve peo­ bers. The Board is a self- ation of the new parking structure, ple with more than a 50 percent perpetuating body, meaning that the new music performance hall risk erf develeiping the disease the present members nominate and a new wing for the library within five years. Half of the people and elect the new members. which will be built in the near will be treated with low doses of The 60 elected members serve future. They also decide to whom long-acting insulin twice a day for one, two or three year terms. construction contracts for these along with periodic intensive treat­ Their terms are set so that about projects are given. ments of insulin but they will not one-third of the members' terms The Master Plan includes the have to alter their diet or lifestyle. expire each year. Members are construction of a new residential The either half will be under close community leaders and business college in the future, said Judge supervision, but will not be treated people such as Dante Fascell and Peter Fay. a fifth-year trustee. H. Wayne Huizenga. with insulin. Patrick J. Cesarano. a trustee of The second trial will involve peo­ Other trustee responsibilities 25 years, said the UM Board also ple who have between a 25 percent include the election or removal of determines where the monies in to 50 percent chance of developing the president of the University, the endowment fund will be diabetes within five years. This approval of the University's long invested. The Board tries to get a trial will try to determine if taking range plans and major changes in 15 percent return on the fund a capsule which contains insulin academic policy, maintenance of every year. About five percent of and other beta cell materials will the physical plant and fund-raising. the fund goes into operation of the reduce the chances of developing University while the rest is rein­ the disease. Half erf the people will Responsibilities vested, Cesarano said. receive the drug while the other The Board of Trustees was also half will receive an inactive, harm­ Decisions made by the Board of Trustees have an impact on stu­ recently involved in the restructur­ less pill. ing of the UM School of Medicine. CHRIS BERNACCHI/Photo Editor dents and faculty. Rafkin-Mervis said the first trial, "We jthe Board of Trustees] • IN THE POCKET: Sophomore Lorenzo Pearson I plays pool Wednesday in the Whitten University "Not a month goes by when the which has already begun, will Center Board of Trustees doesn't make a spent a great deal of time in evalua­ involve 340 people while the sec­ decision that affects the student tion of the medical school..