Former Georgia Tech Professors Indicted for Defrauding the University

Two former Georgia Tech professors and a relative were indicted yesterday by a Fulton County Grand Jury. The indictment charges that husband and wife, Francois Sainfort and Julie Jacko, conspired to be employed full time and receive salary from Georgia Tech while simultaneously being employed full time and collecting salary from the University of Minnesota. The indictment also charges that the two fraudulently billed Georgia Tech for travel expenses, inappropriately directed payments to a relative, and lied about their dual employment and the purpose of the Georgia Tech-funded travel. Julie Jacko’s brother, Robert Jacko, is charged in the conspiracy to have Georgia Tech funds directed to him.

Francois Sainfort was indicted for three counts of Conspiracy to Defraud the State (O.C.G.A.§ 16-10-21), seven counts of Theft by Taking (O.C.G.A. §16-8-2) and four counts of False Statements (O.C.G.A. §16-10-20), all felonies punishable by up to 165 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $1,044,00.00.

Julie Jacko was indicted for three counts of Conspiracy to Defraud the State (O.C.G.A.§ 16-10-21), six counts of Theft by Taking (O.C.G.A. §16-8-2) and two counts of False Statements (O.C.G.A. §16-10-20), all felonies punishable by up to 115 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $902,00.00.

Robert Jacko was indicted for one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the State (O.C.G.A.§ 16-10-21), a felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $100,000.00

Senior Assistant Attorney General Kimberly L. Schwartz is prosecuting the case on behalf of the State of Georgia. Schwartz presented the case to the Fulton County Grand Jury on March 8, 2011, and the Grand Jury returned the indictments the same day in Fulton County Superior Court. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) led the investigation, headed up by Special Agent Wesley Horne. This case is one of several cases the GBI has investigated involving the University System of Georgia which have been or are currently being prosecuted by the Attorney General's office.

Members of the public should keep in mind that indictments contain only allegations against the individual(s) against whom the indictment is sought. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it will be the government’s burden at trial to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the allegations contained in the indictment.