{Kentucky}...An audit done by the University of Louisville has concluded that a lack of oversight allowed former senior program coordinator Alisha Ward to spend almost $500,000 from the school's Equine Industry Program on personal expenses. Ward was fired in March from her $42,000-a-year job. Ward is accused of spending more than $463,000 on home improvements and personal purchases including a motorcycle and lingerie. Suspicious transactions were detected in February after a contractor called the university controller's office to ask about a tax form showing a $40,000 payment from the university. That amount, the audit said, turned out to be part of $150,000 in university money that Ward used "to renovate her new home" and make other purchases. UofL spokesman Mark Hebert says Ward has not been charged, but the university has sent the case to the U.S. Attorney's office.
