Indian River State College’s former CFO says the financial issues facing the Florida public college extend beyond the typical tight budgets and difficult cost decisions in higher education, raising questions about governance, oversight and the handling of public funds.
Marvin Pyles, who also served as vice president of administration, last week filed a whistleblower lawsuit in St. Lucie County Circuit Court accusing the college, its president and its board of trustees of retaliation and financial mismanagement, according to the local news. The verified complaint alleges Pyles was terminated in April 2024 after raising concerns about fraud, procurement irregularities and the handling of state grant funds.
Pyles served as CFO from April 2021 until April 2024 and was terminated on April 19, 2024, according to the complaint. The lawsuit seeks reinstatement, back pay, damages exceeding $50,000 per count and a jury trial.
The filing names Indian River State College, President Timothy Moore and members of the college’s District Board of Trustees as defendants. It accuses the leadership group of breaching fiduciary duties, fostering a hostile workplace and disseminating false statements following Pyles’ termination.
Central to the case are screenshots of text messages the complaint says were exchanged between Pyles and Moore over several years. According to the filing, the messages show senior leaders acknowledging financial mismanagement...
Kenneth Scott Miller, 48, is charged with a felony count of making a false report to law enforcement. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $500 bond. According to an Escambia County ...