Ga. Tech Employees Suspended Amid Probe

ATLANTA (MyFOX ATLANTA) - Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents and police served search warrants early Monday on the offices and homes of four Georgia Tech employees, including a prominent professor. Georgia Tech officials said all four employees were suspended without pay and are suspected of misappropriating university funds.

Georgia Tech officials said an internal audit examination led to the suspension of employees Joy Laskar and Stephane Pinel. While reviewing cost overruns within the Georgia Electronic Design Center, Georgia Tech's Department of Internal Auditing found evidence of possible malfeasance including the misappropriation of university resources for the benefit of a company, Sayana Wireless, LLC, of which Laskar and Pinel are co-owners.

Both Laskar and Pinel, along with staff members Chris Evans and Amanda Scacchitti, were suspended without pay until the investigation is completed.

"This was an isolated incident that was first identified through an internal audit review," said James Fetig, associate vice president for Communications & Marketing.

Georgia Tech officials said they are cooperating fully with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation which is conducting the investigation.