Ex-worker embezzled from RPI in New York

A former Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute worker was arrested last week and charged with second-degree grand larceny for allegedly embezzling from the institution. Christine Dickson, a 53-year-old Troy resident, is believed to have used a RPI-issued purchasing card to steal more than $100,000 over a 14-month period. Following an internal investigation, RPI concluded Dickson had used the card to rack up $82,000 in cash advances, $15,000 in car rentals, $4,900 for cruise and airline travel, and $1,500 in charges to Amazon.com.
Dickson surrendered to police on May 17, 2010, after learning a warrant had been issued for her arrest, Troy police said. Dickson was subsequently released under the supervision of probation. She was not required to post bail.
"The case is pending," Rensselaer County District Attorney Richard McNally said today.
Dickson couldn't be reached for comment today. She was interviewed several times by the Times Union prior to a story last month on what was then an ongoing police investigation.
"Yes, I did misuse my credit card," Dickson said then.
"Was it $100,000 worth?" she asked. "No."
Dickson's supervisor, Dale Masten, in interviews said Dickson had an elaborate system for keeping the credit card charges hidden. Masten said the system unraveled, however, when Dickson was out of the office serving on the jury for the three-week trial of Adrian Thomas, who in October was convicted of killing his four-month-old son.
While Dickson was away, unusual purchase authorizations came through to Masten, leading the supervisor to suspend Dickson's RPI purchasing card.
RPI fired Dickson in November from her business coordinator position at the School of Architecture. Masten was also fired by RPI, despite in 2003 being named a Pillar of Rensselaer, the highest honor the school gives employees.
Masten's termination letter says Dickson's alleged thefts occurred from Aug. 31, 2008 to Nov. 13, 2008. It also notes the investigation found "purchasing and travel logs containing forged signatures" for as far back as 2005.
Dickson, during the interviews last month, would not comment on why she committed the thefts or what she did with the money.
"I am living my worst nightmare because of what I did," she said.
An RPI spokesman today declined to discuss details of the case, saying the school's policy is to avoid comment on personnel matters.
"We are aware of the arrest in this case," spokesman Mark Marchand added. "We are cooperating with law enforcement in this process."