The ex-NYU administrator charged with fraud after allegedly embezzling millions in state funding — including to build an $80,000 swimming pool — has been put on leave from her prestigious Yale University job, The Post has learned.
Cindy Tappe, 57, left her gig as an NYU director of finance in 2018 when her alleged scheme was uncovered and then got a plum role as an operations manager at the Yale School of Medicine.
Following an investigation by state authorities and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Tappe was indicted Monday for the six-year scheme in which she allegedly diverted $3.5 million in grant money into shell companies she created.
Yale spokesperson Karen Peat told The Post Tuesday, “Ms. Tappe has been placed on leave.”
The elite school did not respond to an inquiry asking if it checked Tappe’s references before hiring her. Yale also didn’t specify when exactly she was placed on leave and when the school was made aware of her alleged crimes.
Prosecutors allege Tappe used at least $660,000 of the embezzled New York State Education Department grant money to line her own pockets.
She spent the money on home renovations and the construction of a swimming pool at her home on more than two acres in Westport, Connecticut, prosecutors in DA Alvin Bragg’s office claim.
The money was part of a $23 million state grant meant to help special education students and those learning English.
Tappe pleaded not guilty to the charges Monday. Members of her family did not return requests for comment.
“We are deeply disappointed that an employee abused the trust we placed in her in this way, and we are pleased to have been able to assist in stopping this misdirection of taxpayer money,” NYU spokesman John Beckman told The Post following her indictment.
