RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Extensive review by the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Police Department has found four reports of sexual and aggravated assaults made by a university employee within the last two years were fabricated.
According to a press release, following a Feb. 14 report of an aggravated assault at the Cabell Library on VCU’s Monroe Park Campus, VCU Police launched an investigation into both this complaint and three previous ones.
A VCU spokesperson told 8News that all four reports were made by the same person, though the university has not released the name of the individual.
VCU Police Chief John Venuti told 8News that the person is a VCU Health employee. At the time of reporting, they remain employed with the university and are not on leave, according to Venuti.
These four reports include:
According to the release, VCU Police looked over surveillance footage related to the alleged Feb. 14 assault and could not find evidence supporting that it occurred. Noticing similarities between this report and the three previous ones above, VCU Police began to connect the incidents.
At no point were police able to find any evidence within the hours of surveillance camera footage from all four locations that any of the reported crimes actually happened, according to the release.
When questioned by VCU Police, the employee confessed to having fabricated the report. Alongside this admission, they told police that the previous three reports also being false, according to the release.
These two most recent reports sparked fear in those who attend classes at VCU, who have demanded action on the part of the school to address ongoing violence on campus.
“It is imperative to note that false reports to police are rare,” Venuti said in the press release.
Venuti added that the community should never be afraid to contact VCU Police when they need assistance, as they will always be taken seriously.
“Every report will be investigated thoroughly and resources will be provided to victims and survivors,” he said. “VCU Police is a Start by Believing agency, meaning staff will always start by believing survivors. The department has specially-trained, victim-witness officers on every shift and police work with partners across the university and health system to support victims and survivors.”
According to the release, VCU Police is working with the Commonwealth’s Attorney regarding charges related to filing false police reports.
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
