BELLINGHAM — Western Washington University has reached a settlement with the college admissions director who was fired in December after an internal audit found she used scholarship money as compensation for students who worked in her office.
The Bellingham Herald reports the university now says Karen Copetas did not intentionally violate any statutes or university policy. An agreement signed by the university and Copetas allows her to resign effective June 30 and receive her full salary and benefits until then. Her annual salary is $96,429.
University officials say the agreement will save Western additional legal expenses and other costs if Copetas had taken the university to court.
Copetas has been the admissions director at Western for more than 20 years
The university is providing her with a letter of reference.
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