By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – A former University at Buffalo researcher faces criminal charges for allegedly hiring actors to testify on his behalf at a misconduct hearing several years ago.
William Fals-Stewart was accused of falsifying data while he was employed at UB's Research Institute on Addictions. At his misconduct hearing, Fals-Stewart is alleged to have used actors to portray real people he had worked with. The false testimony led to his exoneration.
Prosecutors say Fals-Stewart duped the actors, telling them the hearing was a mock-trial.
Fals-Stewart then lodged a $4 million lawsuit against the state. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said a subsequent investigation by his office uncovered the deceit, leading to the filing of charges against Fals-Stewart Tuesday. They include attempted grand larceny, perjury, identity theft and falsifying business records.
