Official of Nihon University Weightlifting Club cheats members

A senior executive at Nihon University’s weightlifting club was caught fraudulently collecting admission fees and other fees from students who joined the club and embezzling most of the money, the private university said.

The university had uncovered the misconduct during its investigation into another case.

Work to determine the total damage is currently being accelerated, while legal action against the senior official, such as filing a criminal complaint, is being considered.

The case came on the heels of a series of problems at Nihon University, including a dangerous tackle and a drug scandal at its American football club, and a breach of trust in former university leaders. However, the university has implemented reform measures in the wake of these incidents.

According to the university, the weightlifting club’s senior official collected full admission and tuition fees from the club’s first-year scholarship students, who were exempted from paying all or part of the fees. The official lied to the students’ parents and guardians by claiming that the exemptions would apply from the second year onwards.

The official was involved in the scheme for ten years until last year and used most of the fraudulently obtained money for private purposes.

The official admitted misconduct during the university’s investigation.

“We deeply apologize to the students and their guardians involved,” the university said in a statement. At the same time, it was pointed out that the weightlifting club was allowed to continue its activities because the students were not to blame for the incident.