Baruch College Coach Charged With Embezzlement: Prosecutors

GRAMERCY, NY — Federal prosecutors charged a former Baruch College basketball coach on Tuesday with embezzling more than half a million dollars from the school.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said Machli Joseph, who worked for the school between 2002 and 2016, was arrested Tuesday morning. Prosecutors accused Joseph of renting out Baruch's gym and pocketing the payment instead of passing along the money to the college. He took about $600,000 and used much of the money on personal expenses, including renovations to his Elizabeth, New Jersey home, according to Bharara's office. Joseph, 42, held various roles at Baruch, including working as association athletic director for five years. His responsibilities including having control over the schedule for Baruch's gym, which could be rented to outside parties when not in use by student athletics.

"Machli Joseph, Baruch College’s former basketball coach, allegedly drew up his own game plan for fraud, stealing more than half a million dollars meant for the college that he instead spent on himself," Bharara said in a statement. "Embezzling money from a public college is no game, and for allegedly taking criminal advantage of his control over Baruch’s basketball courts, Joseph will now face federal charges in a court of law."

Joseph was charged with one count of embezzlement and misapplication concerning a program receiving federal funds, which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Patch was unable to immediately reach Joseph or his representatives for comment.

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