Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 9, 1994 TAG: 9412100036
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STEPHEN FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Antoine Hobeika temporarily resigned as director of the school's Center for Transportation Research after university and state police began investigations more than a month ago into a sale of computer software developed at the center.
The school will begin a search to fill the high-profile position, which has been held on an interim basis by University Transportation Fellow Ray Pethtel since Hobeika stepped down.
"There is a search under way to permanently fill the position," said Larry Hincker, director of university relations.
In late October, state police searched Hobeika's bank accounts and discovered a $2,500 check from the Hong Kong Port Authority made out to Hobeika.
The police are trying to determine whether Hobeika may be guilty of embezzlement by selling software developed at Tech for the federal government. The university, which conducted an audit of the center, says it is looking into the matter of proper "scholary conduct."
Lee Bradley, a state police special agent, said this week that police are "still plugging along" with their investigation and are checking leads overseas. He said Hobeika had not been questioned and "it's going to be a little while yet" before the investigation is complete.
No charges have been filed against Hobeika, who is continuing to teach at Tech and work on research projects at the center.
Hincker said he did not know if the university's audit had been completed and sent on to the state auditor, but as for the university making a decision about whether any unethical or criminal acts had occurred, "I know that's not been done yet."
Pethtel, a former commissioner of the Virginia Department of Transportation, said it was his understanding that a search to fill the director's job had not begun.
Pethtel said he has not decided whether he would be interested in holding the director's job permanently. He said he is fully satisfied in his role as Tech's main lobbyist on major transportation issues, including the smart road, which Tech hopes will bring in $15 million in research money.
"I'm still treating this as an interim assignment," he said.
Leonard Peters, vice provost for research and one of Hobeika's bosses, could not be reached for comment Thursday, although Hincker said it was Peters' decision to make Hobeika's resignation permanent.
Neither Hobeika, a civil engineering professor who has worked at Tech for more than two decades, nor his attorney could be reached for comment. Hobeika's only comment thus far has been, "It's unbelievable."
by CNB