Former UNItix Assistant Director Charged with Felony Theft

Iowa Department of Public Safety
Larry L. Noble, Commissioner
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319

ISP Logo
John F. Quinn, Director

For immediate release:
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Des Moines, Iowa

Cedar Falls, IOWA --- Today, 44 year old John Gogola of Cedar Falls, Iowa was arrested and charged with Theft in the First Degree. This charge is a class C felony.

The Black Hawk County Attorney’s Office requested assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) on October 12, 2011 after receiving the results of a special investigation by the State Auditor’s Office regarding improper transactions processed by former University of Northern Iowa centralized ticketing office (UNItix) Assistant Director John Gogola. These improper transactions were discovered by UNItix staff and referred to University officials, who then contacted the State Auditor’s Office. Agents with the DCI and investigators with the State Auditor’s Office reviewed numerous financial records and related UNItix documents.

The criminal complaint states that between December 29, 2008 and August 31, 2010, UNItix Assistant Director John Gogola did commit theft by diverting UNItix funds to his own personal debit and credit cards and using those funds for personal use.

Criminal Complaint

John Gogola, 44 yrs.

The State Auditor’s Office also completed a review of the financial statements for UNItix. You may wish to view the Auditor’s official report on the department’s website.

Agents with the DCI arrested Mr. Gogola at 10:05 am this morning, Wednesday, December 28, 2011. He is currently being held on $50,000 bond at the Black Hawk County Jail.

Contact for questions: DCI Assistant Director Chari Paulson at (515) 971-4733.

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