Iona College Nun “Sister Susie” at Center of Embezzlement Scandal; Likely Deeper and Large Than Reported

Talk of the Sound has confirmed from multiple sources with direct knowledge of the matter that Sister Marie Thornton is the person fired by the college of using a college credit card to make personal purchases and writing college checks for her own benefit. A subordinate was also fired when college officials learned that the subordinate had approved purchases and checks at the direction of “Sister Susie” as Sister Marie Thornton was known, sources tell Talk of the Sound. An initial report by the Chronicle for Higher Education indicated that amount the college claimed stolen was about $80,000 over 10 years or about $800,000 but sources tell Talk of the Sound the figure is likely far higher.

Sister Marie Thornton was not just a Vice President in charge of finance. “Sister Susie” for all intensive purposes ran the college, sources tell Talk of the Sound. Thornton handled the “inside” work of dealing with day-to-day issues while Brother John Driscoll, and later Brother James Ligouri, handled the “outside” work of dealing with donors, alumni, community leaders and the Board of Trustees. In her “inside” role, she had dealings with a wide range of businesses, contractors and bank accounts. She also had responsibility for dealing wit the school’s auditors and outside accounting firms.

The investigation which led to her firing by Brother Ligouri was limited to looking at a small number of accounts and limited to going back just 10 years. As a result, the full scope of the fraud is still not known. The college declined to press charges. The scandal become known through an IRS form filed for the 2009 tax year.

Sister Marie Thornton was one of three senior college officials involved in the review of Head Coach Jeff Ruland, his coaching staff and the men’s basketball team in 2004. At the time, Brother Ligouri was unhappy over a series of NCAA violations attributed to Iona players. He and the Board of Trustees directed Shawn Brennan, the school’s Director of Athletics, to undertake a formal evaluation of the program. The report was presented to a group of three senior officials at Iona College: College Provost Dr. Warren Rosenberg, Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs and former AD Richard Petriccione and Vice President of Finance Sister Marie Thornton. The decision by the three to fire two assistant coaches later led to a racial discrimination lawsuit. The court found for the college in its decision.

Talk of the Sound is still trying to track down Sister Marie Thornton for comment. We would also like to speak with the auditors who reviewed the college’s books from 1999 to 2009. If readers have any tips on either or additional information about this matter please contact us (link above).