Regents report confirms state audit of former UCAT president

An internal investigation of financial transactions involving the former president of the Utah College of Applied Technology, who retired earlier this month, confirms what a state audit found and calls inappropriate.

However, former UCAT president Robert O. Brems says there may be some misunderstanding regarding information presented to the Board of Regents, which conducted the internal audit and released its confirmation today.

"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 their report, saying he was not aware of any wrongdoing.

The Regents report confirmed previous findings of the state auditor's office, which pertained to a parade float constructed at the Mountainland Applied Technology College; a transition package offered to Brems upon a transfer to president of the applied technology system; development of an endowment in Brems' name; and other actions and financial agreements involving Brems.

Three members of the Regents Special Review Team performed a limited-scope engagement, checking in to six objectives as directed by the Regents, and did not imply their findings were comprehensive.

The review examined state auditor working papers, UCAT and MATC business records, and interviews with administrators and staff from both UCAT and the MATC, which is located in Orem.

---

E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com