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By Bimal Rajkomar

Daily Bruin Reporter

Physiology Professor Michael H. Chase surrendered to authorities on Wednesday to face charges that he embezzled $735,000 in public funds.

The charges filed on Tuesday by the Los Angeles District Attorney include one count of misappropriation of public funds and one count of grand theft by embezzlement.

If convicted, Chase could face up to six years in prison. He will be arraigned Jan. 17 at the Los Angeles Superior Court.

Chase is accused of funneling university funds to his sister and former live-in girlfriend. He plans to fight the charges, according to Chase’s lawyer, Charles C. Wehner.

“It was all legitimate and Dr. Chase was appropriately paid for work he properly did,” Wehner told the Associated Press.

Colleagues said they were surprised at the allegations brought against the well-regarded researcher who received the 1999 Sleep Research Society Distinguished Scientist Award.

“I knew he was an extremely respected scientist,” said Professor of Physiology John Tormey who said he didn’t know Chase well. “I find it hard to believe its true.”

The criminal case comes after an investigation by UCLA auditors who raised questions about large sums of money given to two event-planning firms that organized, for Chase, conferences on the effects of drugs and alcohol on driving.

Internal auditors found that the fees given to the event planners were well in excess of the actual costs, and that the event-planning firms were separately owned by Chase’s sister and his then-girlfriend, according to the university.

University policy prohibits employees from contracting the services of any near relatives, unless the services are not available from other commercial sources.

The university filed a civil case to recover the money allegedly overpaid to the companies but settled the case for $750,000.

The district attorney initially rejected the case but after a reinvestigation decided to file charges.

The district attorney initially recommended that bail be set at $25,000 but did not object when the defendant asked to be released on his own recognizance.

Chase, a tenured professor, is scheduled to teach a class next quarter unless the Academic Senate ousts him for violations of the Faculty Code of Conduct.

With reports from My Yen La, Daily Bruin Contributor, and Daily Bruin Wire Services.

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