Former Professor Faces $120K Ethics Fine Over Misuse of Study Abroad Funds

Washington State's ethics board plans to fine a former professor at Evergreen State College nearly $120,000 for allegedly misappropriating payments that students made to participate on a study abroad trip in Chile, The Olympian reported. The former instructor, Jorge Gilbert, was placed on leave in 2009 and eventually resigned amid an investigation by the state auditor into charges that Gilbert could not account for up to $50,000 in fees paid by students. According to the newspaper, the penalty to be imposed by the Executive Ethics Board today will require him to make restitution to the students and pay fines for multiple violations of state ethics laws.