Internal investigations of financial practices within the Utah College of Applied Technology (UCAT) have confirmed what a prior state audit revealed were illegal and inappropriate transactions involving state funds.

The Utah State Board of Regents and UCAT on Thursday released their own reports pertaining to the administrative behavior of former UCAT President Robert O. Brems and the actions of current Mountainland Applied Technology College (MATC) President Clay Christensen. Brems has since resigned from his position.

Both reports confirm what was originally revealed in an audit made public Aug. 22. It alleged the two were involved in using public money for political purposes, among other financial discrepancies.

The UCAT report focuses primarily on the actions of Christensen, who was asked by Utah County Republican Party leaders to help construct a parade float. It was assumed that a welding class would take on the task, but it wasn't in session at the time. Christensen approved payment for labor costs on the float using institutional funds, which were later reimbursed by a private donor.

A time line included in UCAT's report indicates that Christensen was aware the assistance was inappropriate but tried to appease the elected officials.

Christensen refutes the allegations in a response to UCAT officials, saying, "Although I regret my efforts for the MATC have created controversy, I did so at the time out of concern for what I believed to be the best interests of both the students, instructors and employees of the MATC and the citizens of our great state."

Jared Haines, current UCAT president, said he has yet to make a decision on whether Christensen will keep his job at the Orem campus. Christensen said he would accept any and all "remedial measures" necessary in order to "restore public confidence in my leadership of the MATC." He will remain on leave until Haines can review the report and make "a prudent decision in the public's interest," Haines said Thursday.

Brems announced his resignation Sept. 19 after spending a month on paid administrative leave while the internal investigation was conducted. In his response to the most recent report, Brems said there may be some misunderstanding regarding information presented to the Board of Regents.

"I want to reiterate that I acted with a sincere good-faith belief that my conduct was entirely appropriate and within the bounds of law and policy," Brems wrote in a four-page response to the regents' findings.

He offered several "clarifications" to the report, saying he was not aware of any misdoing.

The regents' report says Brems was aware of the circumstances regarding the parade float. It also says he was "the architect, primary promoter and sole beneficiary" of an early retirement/transition package he received upon transfer and developed an endowment that was inconsistent with the rules.