Hunter
07/31/25
The University of Iowa Professor who allegedly misused nearly $300,000 in grants and other funding says he may sue the university because of the damage done to his reputation.
Dr. Calvin Carter has been on paid administrative leave since October 2023 while the investigation was launched. According to the Iowa Auditor’s report, the University of Iowa requested a special investigation in 2023 due to concerns that Carter was using funds for his personal business, Geminii, Inc., and not for University of Iowa research.
State Auditor Rob Sand announced this week that his office found nearly $295,000 in misused funds.
The investigation identified monies spent on the purchase and care for pigs being held in Indiana, though Dr. Carter’s research only had university approval to perform research on mice. Other monies were allegedly spent on lawyers and legal fees that Dr. Carter’s company, Geminii, should have been responsible for, and for items not approved or allowed under research funding.
Sand said it appears no money was embezzled.
In a statement released late Wednesday, Dr. Carter said, “The idea that I intentionally misused funds is deeply hurtful and patently false. “I love my career and have devoted my life to trying to cure cancer, diabetes and advance the science of medicine in Iowa. The University has derailed both my life and my research because of its extremely complicated, wasteful, and unnecessary bureaucracies.”
Carter claims the university approved his research on pigs, and rather than have the UI provide him with securing a website and URL, he followed common practice and hired a vendor frequently used by other researchers and approved by the Chief Information Officer.
Carter stated he is considering taking legal action, including potential defamation claims, to address the damage to his reputation caused by the report and related media coverage.