The now-former dean of Valparaiso University’s College of Business was charged this week with misdemeanor battery and is no longer employed by the school but his defense attorney said the case is rooted in his client’s role as a whistleblower over the university’s finances.
Niclas Erhardt, 51, of Portage, was charged Feb. 18 with a Class B misdemeanor count of battery, according to charging documents. On Nov. 24, Erhardt “did knowingly or intentionally touch L.B. in a rude, insolent or angry manner,” documents state.
“Valparaiso University is aware of the charges and takes this matter with the utmost seriousness. The safety and well-being of our community remain our highest priority, and we are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all members,” university spokesperson Michael Fenton said in a statement provided to the Post-Tribune.
“The individual is no longer Dean at the University and we continue to cooperate with law enforcement authorities regarding this investigation.”
Matt Luth is currently acting as interim dean, Fenton said in an email, declining to provide additional information since the situation is a personnel matter.
Eric Johnson, the university’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, deferred to Fenton for comment.
Erhardt’s attorney, Ken Elwood, said the charge is motivated by his client’s role as a whistleblower involving the university’s finances. The university has made considerable cuts to programs and faculty over the past couple of years.
“My client reported financial misconduct within the university to the president. The criminal investigation by the university’s private police force is motivated by the university’s financial woes,” Elwood said.
University President José Padilla announced in January that he is retiring at the end of the year, which university officials have said was his plan after his tenure at Valparaiso University was complete.
In late October, a majority of the Faculty Senate voted in favor of a no-confidence resolution for Padilla, followed by a majority vote of the full faculty supporting that resolution. The vote took place as the university’s board was holding a meeting on campus.
Elwood said it’s “a clear conflict” to have the university police conduct the investigation and that the industry standard is to bring in an outside police department to investigate the allegations.
“This is motivated by the president’s concerns for the finances at VU,” Elwood said. “It is his desire to remove a highly paid employee. In addition to the violation of multiple federal laws, it also has a whistleblower component.”
According to an announcement about Erhardt’s hire on the university’s website, he joined the school as the dean of the College of Business on Aug. 3, 2020. He had previously served as associate dean of the Maine Business School at the University of Maine and is a native of Stockholm, Sweden.
“It is with great honor and excitement that I join Valpo and the College of Business,” Erhardt said in the website post. “I look forward to working with the faculty, staff and the business community to make meaningful and innovative changes to sustain Valpo’s tradition of excellence and transformative educational experience for its students.”
His case has been assigned to Porter Superior Court Judge Christopher Buckley. Court dates have not yet been set in the case; the maximum penalty for a Class B misdemeanor is 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
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