Northeast News
November 22, 2011

Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences Karen Pletz was found dead in her Fort Lauderdale, Fla., home Tuesday morning. A cause of death has not yet been determined. However, there were no signs of foul play, Fort Lauderdale Detective Travis Mandell said.

Pletz, 64, served as president and CEO for 14 years and was terminated from her position in 2009. KCUMB alleged Pletz misused school funds and the university filed a lawsuit. Earlier this year, a federal grand jury charged Pletz in a 24-count indictment, alleging she embezzled more than $1.5 million from KCUMB, falsified tax returns and participated in money laundering.  The case was still pending at the time of her death.