KTSU 90.9
Pledge drive scandal: Public radio volunteer steals credit card info fromdonors, lands in jail
Now that's low . . .
A former radio volunteer at Texas Southern University's KTSU is spending time in jail for allegedly stealing credit card information from donors.
Fox 26's Isiah Carey reported on Wednesday that 32-year-old Michael Whitford used credit card numbers from KTSU pledge supporters to purchase electronics and gift cards. Whitfield — purportedly a six-year volunteer at the station — would resell the products for cash.
Former KTSU volunteer Michael Whitford he may have had access to more than 300 donors who contributed to a recent fund drive.
Court documents confirm that county prosecutors arrested Whitford in mid-December for possessing the names and social security numbers of 50 or more people. According to the Houston Chronicle, however, he may have had access to more than 300 donors who contributed to a recent fund drive.
A statement released by the university emphasizes that Whitfield was never an employee and that KTSU management is taking "additional measures to ensure the security of donor information, including moving donor records to a more secure site to encrypt donor information."
Unnamed sources close to the radio station told the Houston Press recently that rumors of an arrest have been circulating through KTSU for weeks. Many employees suspect the scandal will put station manager Donna Franklin on shaky ground.
In the meantime, Whitford is being held in a Harris County jail on a $200,000 bond. A court date is scheduled for Jan. 18.
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Photo by Leonid Furmansky