Ex-Utah State executive arrested in scholarship scam

LOGAN — A former Utah State official has been arrested after authorities say she improperly awarded $190,000 in scholarships to family members.

The Herald Journal reports 34-year-old Jennifer Putnam Twiss of North Logan was booked Friday on suspicion of theft, forgery and unlawful dealing of property by a fiduciary.

School officials say Twiss was fired from her job as executive director of enrollment services in March after an internal audit revealed Irregularities.

Police say family members were aware the funds had been wrongfully appropriated between 2004 and 2012.

Charging documents say Twiss also took $36,000 in cash between January 2009 and October 2010.

Twiss was arrested Friday and remained in the Cache County Jail on Saturday. Bail is set at $5,000.

It was not immediately known if she had an attorney.