In response to the discovery that former softball head coach Rick Gamez had misappropriated team funds, Oregon Athletic Director Bill Moos has asked the Oregon University System to audit all athletic teams’ travel expenses.
A 10-page report released on Oct. 3 by the OUS Internal Audit Division revealed that over the last two years, Gamez had submitted inaccurate travel reimbursement forms totaling $5,748.64.
In interviews with the OUS auditors, Gamez could not provide sufficient receipts of meals purchased during road trips.
Gamez offered Moos his resignation, effective Oct. 1, and the Athletic Department agreed to a $26,000 settlement, half of Gamez’s yearly salary. He will pay the University for the missing money.
“Following the review of our softball program, we felt it would be a good idea to have the Oregon University System examine the entire department to make sure things are in order with all of our travel policies and procedures,” Moos said in a statement released Wednesday.
The Athletic Department became aware of the problem with the softball program in the spring of 2000, when several parents and team members complained that Gamez was submitting fraudulent meal reimbursement forms.
At an Oct. 1 press conference, Moos said he was “comfortable” with the situation after a conversation with Gamez following the 2001 season.
The audit, however, discovered that money went missing after Gamez had team members sign blank per diem sheets at the beginning of each road trip.
While the OUS report said the University “was not unresponsive” to the claims made against Gamez, the audit did note that the Athletic Department should contact the OUS Internal Audit Division “in the event of questioned financial transactions” in the future.
“It should be noted that investigating potential financial irregularities is much more involved than one may suspect as demonstrated in the findings of this report,” the audit said.
Additionally, to “help deter the potential unethical behavior of a few employees,” the OUS recommended that the Athletic Department hold annual meetings with head coaches on team travel and provide coaches with copies of the code of ethics.