EPFL launches investigation into Blue Brain Project funds misuse
A Swiss university has announced an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds after an employee was suspended on suspicion of embezzlement.
The enquiry surrounds the use of CHF 218,000 (~€207,640) in the Blue Brain Project (BBP), a neuroscience research venture launched in 2005 at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland. The suspension of the worker on suspicion of embezzlement was revealed following an investigation by Swiss public broadcaster RTS, according to Swissinfo.ch.
It is understood that the administrative staff worker had direct access to payments in the BBP before 2015. Suspicions were raised on the unusual transactions earlier this year in February by the finance manager of the unconnected Human Brain Project. The Blue Brain Project is funded by the Swiss Government; the suspended worker has not been named.
According to Swissinfo.ch, EPFL launched a full enquiry with forensic auditors, an investigation that has now concluded. The university also immediately pressed charges and any further action taken will now be dependent on the decision of a judge.
A spokeswoman for EPFL has told Swissinfo.ch that no European funds have been affected and fraud is restricted to the BBP.
