WMU dept head charged with embezzlement

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - A Western Michigan University employee has been charged with embezzlement.

Dr. Joseph Pellerito was arraigned Tuesday on one felony charge of embezzlement over $1,000.  

The alleged embezzlement was uncovered during at audit.

Western Michigan University Department of Internal Audit and Department of Public Safety started an investigation into the case a few weeks ago and turned it over to prosecutors last week. Charges were issued Friday.

Pellerito was the Occupational Therapy Department Chair until Monday, when he resigned from that position after the embezzlement allegations arose.

He is still a tenured WMU faculty member as part of his original appointment, according to a WMU spokeswoman.

Pellerito's duties as department chair were mainly administrative, the WMU spokeswoman said, and he did not teach. He also oversaw independent graduate students' research and thesis development.

He has been with WMU since July 2010.

A preliminary exam is scheduled for July 10.

WMU's summer session ends June 27.