Months after the UP first reported former Student Body President Kirk Murray was under investigation for SG’s book giveaway program, police file no charges and Murray resigns. Below is a chronological summary of the investigation, gathered from the police report.
March 13 An anonymous tip regarding SG’s book voucher program is sent via the FAU police.
May 10Police meet with FAU auditors regarding the complaint.
June 29Former Student Body President Kirk Murray attempts to return several textbooks totaling $579. However, the bookstore only gives him $29 in cash, and a gift card for the remaining amount.
July 6Murray withdraws from classes that would have required the textbooks that were bought with the gift cards.
July 11Police contact Murray who says he was under heavy pain medication after his toe was amputated. Police advise Murray to contact them later.
July 24Barnes & Noble confirms to police that the 11 gift cards that were on receipts that Murray brought into the store are the same ones Student Government bought months earlier.
July 25On the same day the UP publishes its first article about a possible investigation involving Murray. He contacts police, and informs them that any further communication must take place through his lawyer. Murray promises to provide his lawyer’s contact information. He never does.
July 26Roman Garcia comes forward to police and admits that in the fall of 2004 Murray asked him to return textbooks to the bookstore. He says he would then meet Murray, who would pay him $50 for returning the books.
July 27Murray responds to allegations in the UP and denies any wrongdoing. He admits he’s had some contact with police, but fails to mention he’s referred the police to his lawyer.
July 28Kenneth Jessell, vice president of financial affairs of FAU, signs an intent to prosecute form that states FAU was the victim of grand theft.
Aug 15The State Attorney’s Office declines to prosecute Murray stating ,”The evidence is insufficient to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Aug 10The gift card investigation becomes inactive after police are unable to meet with then Boca Gov. Kim Nguyen and former Boca Senator Winston Rodriguez. Rodriguez told the UP in July that Murray asked him to return textbooks, but he says he “declined to participate.”
Sept 1The State Attorney’s Office again declines to prosecute Murray stating, “Having reviewed the additional evidence presented, the state still cannot establish that the defendant unlawfully possessed and/or used the cards.”
Sept 13 Police meet with Bryan Lutz, the first of seven students who were also contacted for the UP’s “Missing Treasure,” article. Each of them tells the police that they believe their identities were stolen in order to obtain gift cards. Several of them also present the UP’s theory that their identities may have been taken from Facebook, a college networking site. Several of them also sign Intent to Prosecute forms. Lutz tells the police he received a friendship invitation by Murray via Facebook during the spring semester.
Sept 21Police meet with former Administrative Assistant Fiona James. She tells police that the book voucher program was Murray’s “baby” and that he kept the majority of the responsibility to himself. She also says when she was transferring the names of gift card winners to a spreadsheet, she noticed several applications contained the same ink and handwriting.
Sept 22Police conduct their final interview with then Boca Gov. Kim Nguyen. Nguyen, who was Murray’s assistant at the time of the book voucher program, says she never handled any of the cards and never gave them out to students. She explains to police that there was a lot of mismanagement and a lack of accountability with the program.
Nov 7FAU’s police department tells the UP that the case is closed but declines to explain why interviews were conducted after the State Attorney’s Office refused to file charges against Murray.
