Roxbury Community College Being Looked At For Alleged Criminal Activity

Roxbury Community College Being Looked At For Alleged Criminal Activity

Roxbury Community College's Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center is currently being looked at by the state attorney general's office after state auditors

Oct 8, 2016 by Taylor Dutch
Roxbury Community College Being Looked At For Alleged Criminal Activity
Roxbury Community College's Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center is currently being looked at by the state attorney general's office after state auditors cited possible criminal activity seen in alleged financial irregularities.

Jordan Smock, an RCC spokeswoman, told the Boston Herald that the RCC officials have provided law enforcement with information after state auditor Suzanne Bump's office recommended an investigation on the athletic center and the Roxbury Community College Foundation.

Attorney General Maura Healey's office said it is reviewing the possibility of criminal activity, but has not formally launched an investigation.

Bump's office said the audit staff "concluded that many of the concerns raised by the college go beyond simple mismanagement and involve alleged criminal activity."

The inquiry is the latest in reports centered around the Roxbury Community College's Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center. Michael Sol Warren reported earlier in the week that the future of the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center was uncertain after its popular director was fired suddenly.

Roxbury Community College, which runs the center, reportedly shocked the Boston track community when it fired executive director Keith McDermott who worked at the center for 18 years. McDermott was popular in the community for working to keep the facility open to the public. 200 people spoke out against the decision to fire McDermott in the first board of trustees meeting two weeks ago.

Smock would not discuss the reasons behind McDermott's firing.

Adrian Walker of the Boston Globe reported the community speculation was that the college was frustrated by the former director's actions to prioritize the community over RCC's needs. The center hosts a number of high school, college and professional indoor track meets all year long.

Last August, the Massachusetts Track and Field Officials Association raised $120,000 for the facility. The money is being held by the Roxbury Community College Foundation and no one is sure why. The matter is currently being looked at for a potential investigation for criminal activity.