College defends 'scam' claim quiz; 'It cost us six figures and was done by outside team'.Byline: BEN TURNER This article is about the English footballer. For DC Comics character, see Bronze Tiger. Ben Turner (born 21 January 1988 in Birmingham) is a footballer for Football League Championship side Coventry City. COLLEGE governors today claimed they spent a "six-figure sum" investigating claims of a qualifications scandal. Liverpool Community College Liverpool Community College is the only college of further education in Liverpool. It was established in 1992 by the amalgamation of all the further education colleges in Liverpool and was formerly known as the "City of Liverpool Community College". today launched a full-blown defence over the way it handled the allegations. A three-month ECHO investigation uncovered claims qualifications were awarded to people who did not attend courses. Whistle-blower whis·tle·blow·er or whis·tle-blow·er or whistle blower n. One who reveals wrongdoing within an organization to the public or to those in positions of authority: "The Pentagon's most famous whistleblower is . . Tom Hanson Thomas Tucker Hanson (born November 10, 1907 in Navesink, New Jersey) was an American football halfback in the NFL mainly for the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Temple University. , a former lecturer, claimed he discovered evidence, including the forging of references and the entry of students for qualifications they could not have achieved. The college was criticised after refusing to release details of an independent investigation into the alleged corruption, citing "legal privilege". But governing body chairman Vivienne Tyler said she was "shocked at the suggestion the governors displayed a lack of diligence when accusations of possible fraud were made in 2008". She said governors appointed "independent lawyers and forensic auditors to carry out a full and detailed investigation". She added: "To ensure probity PROBITY. Justice, honesty. A man of probity is one who loves justice and honesty, and who dislikes the contrary. Wolff, Dr. de la Nat. Sec. 772. , this was carried out at arm's length from both management and governors, with the exception of the chair of the audit sub committee, who was deputed to act as the link with the college." She revealed the probe "cost the college a six-figure sum" and said "this expenditure was necessary given the importance the governors attached to establishing the truth". The ECHO obtained evidence of people's data appearing on registers when they had never studied there. Ms Tyler said after an "an extensive, impartial investigation, no evidence was found to justify taking action against any individual". She stressed governors would have "no hesitation" in authorising further investigations if fresh evidence was produced. Ms Tyler also said she was saddened that claims by former employees "are now being used to cast aspersions" on the college, which is ranked "outstanding" by Ofsted. College principal Maureen Mellor and governor Malcolm Kennedy were due to discuss the allegations at a meeting tonight. The Learning and Skills Council is probing the claims and Merseyside Police are trying to establish whether a criminal offence occurred.. |
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