RUG fraudster sentenced to three years behind bars

The head of the University of Groningen technical department, who defrauded the university of more than a million euros, has received a three year jail sentence, six months of which were suspended. He must also pay 450 thousand euros in damages.

At the RUG, Hans G. was responsible for maintaining the university buildings. Last year he was arrested on suspicion of corruption, money laundering and forgery.

Bribes

The head of the University of Groningen technical department, who defrauded the university of more than a million euros, has received a three year jail sentence, six months of which were suspended. He must also pay 450 thousand euros in damages.

At the RUG, Hans G. was responsible for maintaining the university buildings. Last year he was arrested on suspicion of corruption, money laundering and forgery.

Beyond the bounds

The court ruled that G.’s actions ‘went far beyond the bounds’. “He acted purely from self interest and thus damaged the trust of the university and society. He pursued this course of action for a long time, despite having plenty of time to reform,” the court writes in its ruling.

Five co-defendants were convicted of corruption, money laundering or receipt of stolen goods. Two other defendants were acquitted.

Hans G. has received a longer sentence than that given to Jelle B., a former director of Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, in 2012. Over a period of eight years, he committed fraud to the tune of 800,000 euros and received a custodial sentence of two and a half years, of which one year was suspended.