United Research Incorporated Project Manager Allegedly Stole Millions from Harvard

George Papadopoulos—a former United Research Incorporated project manager for Harvard construction projects in Allston—was arraigned Tuesday morning by the Suffolk Superior Court for embezzling millions of dollars from Harvard and the Massachusetts Port Authority to spend on hotel rooms, home improvements, and Armani suits.

Papadopoulos, who is pleading not guilty, has been accused of sending both Harvard and Massport inflated bills for the amount he had stolen to cover up his theft, in addition to submitting more than 250 falsified expense reports between 2004 and 2008.

Papadopoulos was terminated at URS when his crimes were identified last spring after an internal investigation, according to a statement released by the corporation.

URS informed Harvard of the theft and reimbursed the University for the stolen funds last spring, after Harvard obtained an independent review of its transactions with the corporation, according to a statement from the Harvard Press Office.

Prosecutors allege that Papadopoulos attempted to steal $3 million while he was vice president of URS, and $15,000 from STV, the New York engineering firm that hired him after his termination at URS.

Papadopoulos faces a total of four counts of larceny: three counts for his thefts from URS, Harvard, and Massport, and one count for his theft from STV.

According to court documents, Papadopoulos spent more than $1 million in personal credit card expenses, in addition to $515,000 on home improvements and $110,000 on Armani clothing.

The Suffolk Superior Court has ordered Papadopoulos to remain in his house from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. and to submit to an electronic bracelet. Papadopolous has also surrendered his passport and cannot leave the state without notifying the Attorney General’s Office.

URS is the construction management firm that is currently overseeing the building of the $1 billion Allston Science Complex. The University is planning to halt construction of the complex this spring, when the foundation of the structure has been completed, but well before it is ready for occupants.

—Staff writer Sofia E. Groopman can be reached at segroopm@fas.harvard.edu.