University of Illinois band director Dr. Robert Rumbelow resigns after ripping off U of I

The University of Illinois’ director of bands resigned this week amid an investigation into allegations he sold the university’s outdated musical instruments and deposited the proceeds into his personal bank accounts. 

Robert Rumbelow, who faces a felony theft charge, paid the university more than $87,000 on Thursday and Friday, funds that mostly had been collected by selling clarinets and other instruments on eBay and to a Tennessee school.  

Rumbelow, 48, of Champaign, is expected to be arraigned in late September, according to U. of I. police. The case is under review by the Champaign County state’s attorney’s office. 

Rumbelow’s attorney, Daniel Jackson, said his client may have violated university policies regarding property, but that there was no criminal intent. He said Rumbelow sold the instruments to raise money to fund a study on the feasibility of constructing a new band building to replace the aging one. He planned to give the money to the university, in the form of an anonymous donation, after selling all the instruments, Jackson said.

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