FAMU Investigation Finds Fraud; Ripple Effect on Dekalb High School Band

Dekalb County high school has halted all band activities

More layers are being peeled back on the controversy surrounding the hazing death of FAMU drum major Robert Champion.

An official investigation into the university's band program has uncovered potential fraud.

"It became apparent (from) some of the people that we interviewed (that) the financial irregularities had to do with the band travels and other sports and administrative components of the university," said Jerry Bailey, commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Officials are saying that it is too early in the investigation to determine just how much money is involved. And while students and faculty are being cooperative with the investigation, they are also having a hard time finding certain documents.

The investigation has also lead to Dekalb County, Georgia halting all of their high school band activities. The county is home to a number of schools that are major hubs for band talent that often time end up attending FAMU and joining the "Marching 100" including Southwest Dekalb high school, where the deceased Champion was a student. Three of the four students involved in a hazing incident where a young woman suffered a broken thigh were also students of SWD. The fourth attended North Druid Hills high school which is also in Dekalb County.

"We have documented evidence of inappropriate activity that took place over the summer," said county spokesperson Walter Woods, explaining the suspension.

Bands that are scheduled to participate in Martin Luther King holiday related events will be allowed to play, however.