2 UCLA Administrators Plead Guilty to $500,000 Fraud

Two former UCLA administrators have pleaded guilty to defrauding the university’s radiology department of more than $500,000, federal officials announced.

James Campbell, the former administrative officer of the department, pleaded guilty to organizing a scheme to dupe UCLA into paying two employment agencies for work that was never performed, according to Assistant U.S. Atty. Nathan J. Hochman. Campbell also admitted filing a false 1992 tax return.

Benny Chow, the radiology department’s former chief financial officer, pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts involving the theft of federal funds through the scheme, Hochman said.

Campbell’s and Chow’s pleas mark the third and fourth convictions associated with the investigation of the radiology department, which found that Campbell diverted money to his relatives and friends to avoid the appearance of personal gain.