KENOSHA, Wis. — Someone helping oversee a public college’s budget and making decisions involving millions of taxpayer dollars would presumably have a clean employment history. But what if one of those board members had previously been accused by the State of Wisconsin of falsifying travel reimbursement records for personal financial gain? What if that person was actually the treasurer of the board?

That is the situation facing Gateway College, where Board Treasurer Nicole Oberlin, formerly known as Nicole Russo, continues to serve despite public records showing she resigned while facing termination from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services after an investigation into falsified travel reimbursement requests and other alleged misconduct.

Records obtained by Kenosha County Eye from DHS show that Oberlin’s state employment ended in August 2019 after investigators concluded she submitted false travel reimbursement claims on five separate dates between June and December 2018.

According to DHS, Oberlin improperly sought approximately $451.12 in mileage and meal reimbursements for travel that investigators said did not occur. The records show DHS concluded her cellphone records, emails, calendars, timesheets, and witness interviews contradicted travel vouchers she submitted claiming she had traveled to locations including Madison and Oshkosh.

The state accused Oberlin of falsifying records, violating attendance policies, and receiving reimbursement she was not entitled to. DHS formally issued Oberlin a termination letter on Aug. 6, 2019. However, records also show Oberlin submitted a resignation effective that same day, meaning her employment ended amid termination proceedings.

In a statement to Kenosha County Eye on Monday evening, Gateway College Board President Jason Tadlock said he was not familiar with the circumstances surrounding Oberlin’s departure from DHS and was not in a position to verify the records.

“I do not know anything of the circumstances to which you are referring,” Tadlock wrote. “I am out and about this evening, not in a position to attempt to verify the veracity of your statements, or make a comment on them.”

Tadlock also appeared to distance himself from the issue by explaining that Gateway trustees are appointed by county officials and that board members do not supervise, appoint, or terminate one another.

“The county leadership appoints technical college board members and oversees the trustees,” Tadlock wrote. “Trustees do not supervise appoint or terminate other trustees.”

Despite saying he had not reviewed the records, Tadlock still defended Oberlin’s service on the board.

“While I do not know of the circumstances you are referring to, I can say that I have worked with Nichole (sic) for several years as a volunteer trustee,” Tadlock wrote. “I have seen her volunteer countless hours to the role which she takes seriously and has served honorably for no personal benefit from what I can tell.he knows her so well, in fact, that he spelled her name incorrectly.

Tadlock’s response may raise additional questions because, in addition to serving as Gateway’s board chairperson, he is also the superintendent of the Elkhorn Area School District, a position involving oversight of public employees, taxpayer funds, and ethical standards.

The records obtained from DHS include personnel files, internal investigative summaries, emails, travel reimbursement records, cellphone logs, and disciplinary documents.

According to the state’s findings, one of the most serious discrepancies involved June 27, 2018, when Oberlin claimed reimbursement for a trip to Madison. Investigators said her state-issued cellphone records showed she was in Union Grove during the same period she claimed to be traveling. Emails from that day also showed Oberlin told coworkers she had missed a call because of medical appointments and that she would be in Madison “tomorrow,” not that day.

Investigators found similar discrepancies involving claims for travel on July 18, Aug. 1, Nov. 16, and Dec. 5, 2018. DHS concluded that Oberlin falsely claimed mileage reimbursements ranging from about $74 to $95 per trip, along with meal reimbursements.

The state’s termination letter said Oberlin violated Wisconsin work rules involving falsification of records, failure to comply with policy, and attendance violations. DHS also cited state statutes involving falsifying agency records and theft of agency property or services.

The controversy comes as Gateway continues its search for a permanent college president following the departure of former President Ritu Raju, whose tenure was marked by criticism from faculty and staff.

One person who contacted Kenosha County Eye said the college’s search for a permanent president should also include closer scrutiny of board members themselves.

“For the new president to be successful, they will need the board to also have the best interests of the college and the population they serve,” the source said. “Unfortunately, there are members on the board who also served when President Ritu was there that should have been investigated as well.”

The source also questioned whether Gateway is doing enough to screen board members before they are appointed to positions of financial oversight.

“Gateway needs to do a better job of screenings and background checks on their board members,” the source said. “Nicole Oberlin is not fit to be their treasurer and should be relieved of her duties immediately.”

Some critics are now questioning whether Gateway’s board is holding itself to an appropriate ethical standard by continuing to allow Oberlin to serve as treasurer despite the findings in her state employment file.

As of Monday night, neither Oberlin nor Gateway College President Dr. Morgan Phillips had responded to requests for comment. If they do respond, Kenosha County Eye will update this story with their comments.

The entire DHS personnel file, investigative summaries, emails, reimbursement records, and termination documents obtained by Kenosha County Eye are included below so readers — and Gateway trustees like Jason Tadlock — cannot later say they never saw the records for themselves.

Jason Tadlock, Board Chairperson — [email protected]
Zaida Lange-Irisson, Vice Chairperson — [email protected]
Nicole Oberlin, Treasurer — [email protected]
Preston Gardner, Secretary — [email protected]
Ram Bhatia, Trustee — [email protected]
Tamarra Coleman, Trustee — [email protected]
Rebecca Matoska-Mentink, Trustee — [email protected]
Michael P. Reader, Trustee — [email protected]
Caio Lisboa, Student Trustee — [email protected]