Probe: Financial violations, fear at Polytechnic | News

LAKELAND, Florida (AP) - An internal review has found financial mismanagement and a climate of fear among employees at the school that will soon become Florida's 12th state university.

See Also: What's next for Florida Polytechnic?

The investigation into the University of South Florida Polytechnic found several employees knowingly violated USF policy and statute. It also found a pattern of job losses and reassignments when employees refused to follow the directives of former Regional Chancellor Marshall Goodman.

The reviewers recommend that two administrators be dismissed and that an investigation continue into Goodman's conduct while leading the Lakeland campus.

Gov. Rick Scott signed a measure into law Friday making USF Polytechnic an independent public university, ignoring calls for a veto from influential business leaders. The decision following months of wrangling over the future of the school.