ELKINS, W.Va. — A former vice president at Fairmont State University was sentenced Wednesday to spend three and a half years in federal prison after embezzling more than $1.3 million from the school.
David Tamm, 45, of Parkersburg, used state issued purchasing cards to purchase equipment for resale. U.S. Attorney Bill Ihlenfeld said the theft took place for almost seven years.
“He abused his position of trust and eventually he was caught and a result he was sentenced to 46 months in prison,” Ihlenfeld said.
Tamm used the money to purchase luxury automobiles, a $435,000 home in Bridgeport and other expensive items. He was the chief information officer at FSU when the theft took place from Oct. 2007 to Jan. 2013. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to embezzlement and filing a false income tax return.
Federal prosecutor Ihlenfeld said his office has been able to recover some of the money but not all. Tamm has been ordered to make restitution for the full amount.
“He owes over 1.3 million dollars to the university. He owes close to a quarter of a million dollars in back taxes and he’s going to be going to prison for the next four years roughly and he won’t be earning any money while he’s in prison,” Ihlenfeld said.
Specifically, Tamm purchased hundreds of computer switches with purchasing cards and then resold them for cash. An audit turned up the theft.