Former Vermont college president accused of embezzlement

The former chief operating officer of Southern Vermont College has been accused of embezzling $440,000 from the school when he served as acting president.

James Beckwith is accused of taking the money between October 2012 and January, depositing it into his personal account, and using $260,000 to pay down two mortgages secured by his South Londonderry home.

The U.S. Attorney General’s office said Thursday it filed a complaint alleging the home and account are forfeitable as proceeds of mail fraud.

Prosecutors say Beckwith induced college officials to issue three checks, saying they were to settle legal claims arising from a failed dormitory project.

It wasn’t immediately known if Beckwith had a lawyer. He served as acting president at the Bennington college when the president took a one-year leave of absence.