Dean at University of South Florida College of Medicine steals student's bicycle
An associate dean at the University of South Florida has admitted to taking a student's bicycle this week in an act that was captured on a surveillance tape.
Abdul Rao, who oversees research grants for the College of Medicine, was suspended Thursday while campus officials investigate.
In a statement, Rao apologized Friday and said he was trying to help a day laborer who needed transportatio
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"I deeply regret this failure in judgment and the unfortunate attention it has generated….," he wrote to USF officials.
"I gave a man who does odd jobs for me permission to use a bicycle that was parked at the center.
I acted out of compassion for this nearly homeless man; but I failed to consider that the bicycle belonged to someone on our Alzheimer's team.
It was a terrible lapse in judgment on my part; I have no excuse. I can only say that my intention was never to bring harm, alarm, or disruption to anyone."
The bicycle has been returned, but the owner has not been identified.
USF spokesman Michael Hoad said the bicycle was reported stolen on Tuesday, but police did not see the surveillance tape, which showed Rao and a man taking the bicycle from a loading dock, until Wednesday.
The tape shows a woman riding up to a loading dock at the Johnnie B. Byrd Sr. Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute and parking her bicycle against a railing at about 7:50 Monday night.
About an hour later, a minivan pulls up to the loading dock and Rao and a man get out. They look through some bikes near the railing, pick one and leave with it in the minivan.
Hoad said he didn't know how the tape made it onto YouTube. He said that is not the university's top concern.
"I don't particularly care, surveillance video is not protected unless it's part of an investigation...It would eventually become public."
Rao was not charged with a crime since the bicycle was returned, Hoad said.
In a letter to the faculty and staff of the Byrd Institute, Stephen Klasko, dean of the USF College of Medicine wrote, "I'm very sorry to hear of the bicycle incident this week at the Byrd Institute loading dock, and I apologize to everyone involved.
I will write again when the USF review is completed.
Until then Dr. Abdul Rao will be on annual leave."
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Added: Feb 13 2009 In: news_politics
Recorded on: Feb 9 2009
By: beck64
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Comments - sort by oldest to newest
Buy a ******* lock next time.
Posted Feb-14-2009 by "SamuelL" (R)
They should make a law stating if a person steals another persons bike the person who got robbed should be authorized to kick face for 3 minutes, hey it's better than water-boarding right?...
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "T_Bone69" (R)
...but he is probably a liberal so it's ok.
Exactly. The school system has become so weak through these idiots that I am afraid for the fate of my child when she hits college age.
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "tipsypyro" (R)
Par for the course. College employees have been ripping off students ever since someone figured out that people can be compelled to by the latest $200 calculus book even though calculus hasn't changed since Sir Isaac Newton invented it hundreds of years ago.
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "AvgDude2" (R)
He wasn't charged? He should be, right after he's fired.
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "dorbie" (R)
do you know how many abandon bicycles there are on NCSU's campus after one semister? They sold over 400 at the last sale, the proceeds of which go to a local orphanage.
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "SWade" (R)
2 words:
YOU'RE FIRED!
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "smyle" (R)
the bike belonged to one of our alzeimers team,maybe they should take a look at dean abdul rao,it would make a better excuse than i did so a day labourer could get home
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "dinglbat" (R)
Must be a Dem,taking other peoples things. Also, is he an Indian or Pakistani - probably believes that since he is upper class he has full authority to take other peoples stuff with asking
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "bmd12345" (R)
Being compassionate was his pseudo excuse.
I guess he's only following the moral lead of socialist Government - being compassionate using other people's property.
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "Cadae" (R)
That's an interesting way to look at life. This guy here would like to have a bike. I think he should have one. He doesn't want to pay for one and neither do I. So we'll find one that someone else worked and earned money to legally purchase and we'll just take it. They can work some more and earn some more money and buy a new one.
Guy's gotta be a Democrat.
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "neesayer" (R)
why arent the bikes locked up??
stupid people..
and the dirty mexican stole a girls bike...dumb-ass!
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "ramotyis" (R)
he only took it cos he like sniffing bike seats
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "m1eft paul" (R)
Get your own bike ahole. I need a junker bike that won't get stolen at the beach but I wonder. They need to have the police question him right to get the truth, it's rediculous.
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "poopinthepants" (R)
Culture.
Posted Feb-13-2009 by "funtime"