A Columbia University professor is facing a lawsuit alleging he swindled $1.3 million from a 72-year-old stroke victim in an elaborate romance scam, court documents reveal. The plaintiff, whose identity remains confidential, claims the academic exploited her emotional vulnerability after she suffered a debilitating stroke.
According to legal filings obtained by SourceRated, the professor allegedly cultivated a romantic relationship with the victim over several months before persuading her to transfer funds for purported ‘investment opportunities.’ Sources close to the investigation suggest the money was instead funneled into personal accounts and luxury purchases.
Columbia University officials confirmed the accused remains employed but declined to comment on pending litigation. ‘We take all allegations of misconduct seriously and are reviewing the matter internally,’ a university spokesperson stated.
Financial fraud experts note this case reflects a troubling trend of romance scams targeting elderly Americans, which skyrocketed during the pandemic. The FBI reported $1.3 billion in losses to such schemes in 2022 alone.
The lawsuit could have broader implications for academic institutions’ oversight of faculty conduct outside university settings. Legal analysts suggest more universities may implement financial ethics training if these allegations prove true.