Idaho senator alleges misuse of funds from ISU, Bannock County over forensic center

An Idaho senator is alleging that Idaho State University misused funds intended for a forensic pathology center in eastern Idaho. 

On Nov. 26, state Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, R-Twin Falls, sent out a press release alleging the university misappropriated $853,700 in state funds intended for the now-defunct East Idaho Forensic Pathology Center project. 

The East Idaho Forensic Pathology Center was a proposed project to be built on the Idaho State University campus and operated by Bannock County. The Idaho Legislature in 2022, through House Bill 776, appropriated $900,000 to the university for initial operating costs. The university said establishing the center was a step in addressing a critical regional need and offering educational opportunities for university students.

To move the project forward, the university entered into an agreement with Bannock County to transfer the funds to the county for operating costs. 

“Both ISU and Bannock County worked in good faith, and $46,300 of the original appropriation was expended on design consultation and cost estimates,” Emily Frandsen, ISU spokesperson, told the Idaho Capital Sun. “Unfortunately, Bannock County did not move forward with building a facility, and the project ultimately was not completed on ISU’s campus. ”

The county currently sends autopsies to a lab in Ada County, East Idaho News reported, and a pathology center would have alleviated that need. However, in October, the commissioners voted to end the county’s involvement with the construction of the pathology center, primarily citing concerns about construction costs and costs to run autopsies. 

ISU says it takes responsibility, Bannock County says money was spent on expenses related to project

On Oct. 29, Bannock County Commissioner John Crowder brought to the attention of the board of commissioners the language in the bill, which states, “Legislative appropriations shall not be transferred from one fund to another fund unless expressly approved by the Legislature.”

In April 2023, ISU did transfer $853,700 to Bannock County, which were the remaining funds after consultation costs. The funds were placed in an account specific to expenses related to setting up the forensic center, according to Bannock County spokesperson Emma Iannacone. 

Since that transfer, the county has used $168,882, toward autopsy-related tests, equipment, recruitment efforts and consulting fees, leaving $684,817 in the fund, Iannacone said. 

Frandsen said the university takes responsibility for not maintaining stricter oversight and accountability regarding the legislative appropriation, and it is taking steps to address the situation.

“Idaho State University has submitted a mutual termination agreement of the MOU to Bannock County, asking for the return of the funds,” Fradsen said. “The University plans to then return the funds to the state, per the guidelines for the appropriation.”

ISU President Robert Wagner said the university respects and deeply appreciates the trust placed on it to steward public funds responsibility. 

“Moving forward, we are committed to strengthening our processes and maintaining the highest levels of accountability and transparency to meet legislative intent and serve the public good,” Wagner told the Sun in an email.

In a business meeting Tuesday, the Bannock County Commissioners approved a motion to move forward with ISU’s agreement and identify who the funds are to be remitted to.

Senator calls for investigation, legislative audit

Zuiderveld in her press release said she demands accountability from the entities, an investigation from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office, the immediate return of the funds to the state’s general fund, and a legislative audit of one-time appropriations.

Zuiderveld told the Idaho Capital Sun in an email that her role is not just to legislate but also to “uncover and address any corruption or misappropriations.” She said a group of concerned residents from Pocatello told her about this issue. 

“I am deeply concerned about government actions and spending,” she said. “We cannot provide meaningful financial relief to Idaho taxpayers without first identifying and correcting government inefficiencies and mismanagement. My priority is always the well-being of our citizens.