Former Hillel Accountant Pleads Guilty to Embezzling $780,000

William O’Brien, a former accountant for Harvard Hillel, has pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $780,000 from the nonprofit. The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office announced the plea, which includes charges of larceny, forgery, and falsifying corporate financial records. O’Brien, who was employed by Hillel through the financial management agency Insource Services from 2003, used stolen funds for personal expenses, including travel and entertainment, according to state investigators.

Hillel discovered financial irregularities in 2008, prompting an internal investigation led by Hillel President Bernard Steinberg and Board Chair Robert Beal. The probe revealed that O’Brien had been diverting nonprofit funds for his own use and notified the Attorney General’s office. His contract was terminated immediately following the findings. The Attorney General’s office confirmed the internal investigation’s conclusions, leading to O’Brien’s indictment in July 2009 and additional charges later that year.

O’Brien concealed his actions by falsifying financial records to mask the thefts. State investigators found that he issued checks from Hillel’s account to a friend’s American Express business and a vendor, then used those funds to pay his own credit card and purchase personal items. The fraud allegedly began in 2003 and continued until the 2008 investigation.

O’Brien was arraigned on February 25, 2010, and initially pleaded not guilty. He was released on good faith pending trial. The case followed months of rumors about Hillel’s financial struggles, which Steinberg denied in January 2010, attributing any difficulties to broader economic conditions.

The embezzlement has raised concerns about financial oversight and accountability within the organization. Hillel’s leadership has emphasized the importance of transparency and ethical governance, particularly in managing resources entrusted to the nonprofit. The case underscores the need for robust internal controls and the consequences of financial misconduct in institutional settings.

This incident highlights the vulnerability of nonprofit organizations to internal fraud and the critical role of accountability in maintaining public trust. As Micah 6:8 reminds us, justice, mercy, and humility are essential in how institutions serve their communities. Hillel’s response to the scandal reflects a commitment to addressing these principles and restoring integrity within its operations.

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