Former NYU finance director pleads guilty to $3 million fraud scheme

A former finance director at New York University has pleaded guilty to a more than $3 million fraud scheme that authorities say helped fund a swimming pool and other renovations to her home in Connecticut. New York authorities say Cindy Tappe used her position to divert money intended for minority and women owned businesses. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg says the 57-year-old Westport, Connecticut, resident pleaded guilty to grand larceny and agreed to five years probation and $663,209 in restitution. NYU said Tuesday its internal audit office investigated Tappe and provided its findings to state officials, leading to the criminal charges.