Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
It hasn’t been a good week for Howard University and the scandal is just heating up.
On Wednesday, March 28, a Medium blog post revealed that school officials and student-employees allegedly embezzled close to $1 million in financial aid funds from HU. Shortly after that, Howard administration announced a full-fledged investigation into the incident. But yesterday, Howard students had enough and stormed the administration building in full protest of the mishandling of these valuable financial aid resources.
Only at Howard can you protest, party and demand the resignation of school officials….all at the same time. They got creative with their chant and elicited the help of Rihanna to get their point across. Together, they sang the words of Rihanna’s hit “B***H, Better Have My Money”
Howard students found out employees stole over $1M in financial aid so they took over their Administration building and started singing ‘Bitch Better Have My Money.” pic.twitter.com/760u3TFZwc
— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) March 29, 2018
The students, their official Student Association and a student organization called #HUResist all stood together demanding President Wayne A.I. Frederick’s resignation and better protection of students and these valuable resources.
“The Howard University Student Association stands with @HUResist and the rest of the students in calling for the resignation of Wayne A.I. Frederick”
The President of HUSA just said this. #HUResist #StudentPowerProtest pic.twitter.com/BYE0G9CUDr
— Catchr Graphics (@JaleelSpeaQs) March 29, 2018
The protest swelled with students. They shut down the administration building as campus police were called to stand guard.
Breaking News: Howard University has closed the administration building in response to the @HUResist protest. Campus police are posted outside. #HowardUniversity #HUAlum #Tyrone pic.twitter.com/J4HKQyn4NC
— Spotlight Network (@SLNTV_) March 29, 2018
The saga continues…
One student-employee in particular, Tyrone Hankerson Jr., found himself in the middle of the scandal (and trending on Twitter), when he was specifically called out in the Medium blog post. He allegedly stole more than $400,000 in funds via need-based grants and scholarships.
Where exactly did all this money go?
Tyrone Hankerson Jr. stole $429,000 from Howard University.
Months away from graduation and the scam went south.
Mink Coats, Designer Bags, personal videographer and media team. Everyone say hello to the FINESSE GOD TYRONE. pic.twitter.com/OFjPAr6QHl
— Tariq Sayed (@StyleByTariq) March 28, 2018
Twitter dug up some meme-worthy pics of Hankerson dripping in designer duds, toting Gucci bags and taking luxurious overseas trips. The former student-employee has since gone public with a formal statement denying any wrong-doing.
“When the truth comes out, it will be confirmed that I followed all rules and protocol with the approval of the, then, financial aid officers in any grants, scholarships or awards given to me as a student who attended class all year round and traveled abroad,” Hankerson relayed via his lawyer.
ABC News has received the following statement on behalf of Tyrone Hankerson Jr. pic.twitter.com/hIA8uaIlG3
— Anastasia (@AnastasiaElyseW) March 28, 2018
It gets better…..
Starting at 12p eastern, Roland Martin will interview Hankerson and let him share his side of the story.
TELL US: Do you think Tyrone Hankerson, Jr. is the mastermind or just a student that got caught up in some shady business?
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