University Of Louisville's "Bride" "Corpse", Robert Felner, Sentenced To Five Years In Prison And Nearly $3 Million Restitution.

Former University of Louisville dean Robert Felner sentenced to more than five years in prison
By Nancy C. Rodriguez

Robert Felner, former University of Louisville dean of education, was sentenced on Monday to 63 months in prison for his role in defrauding U of L and the University of Rhode Island of $2.3 million.

Felner — who was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charles R. Simpson III in Louisville — pleaded guilty in January to nine federal charges, including income tax evasion.

In addition to prison time, Felner must pay restitution of $510,000 to U of L, $1.64 million to the University of Rhode Island and $88,750 to the Rock Island County Council on Addiction in Illinois.

The plea agreement was reached with the U.S. attorney’s office after Felner was indicted in October 2008 in Louisville on charges of mail fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, income tax evasion and conspiracy to impede and impair the Internal Revenue Service. The charges against Felner carried a maximum penalty of 75 years in prison.

Felner and his co-defendant, Thomas Schroeder of Port Byron, Ill., were scheduled to go to trial Feb. 1.

An Aug. 9 trial has been set for Schroeder, who has been charged with mail fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to impede and impair the Internal Revenue Service. He has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, Schroeder could face a maximum of 45 years in prison.

Felner’s plea agreement does not require that he testify against Schroeder.

Felner’s sentencing will be a step toward ending a case that began in spring 2008, when the University of Louisville reported suspected fraud to federal officials. The investigation involved multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Internal Revenue Service.