Elite school yet to rule on criminal charges

The chief fund raiser at St Ignatius’ College Riverview has been sacked amid allegations of “financial misconduct”.

Saint Ignatius College Riverview’s director of advancement Aleks Duric, has been sacked over misconduct of funds.

Revelations that the chief fund raiser at St Ignatius’ College Riverview has been sacked after being confronted with allegations of “financial misconduct” have sent shockwaves through the elite Sydney Catholic school.

NSW police have confirmed the Jesuit school made an official complaint against the head of Riverview’s fund raising arm, Aleks Duric, last Monday.

The alleged fraud is expected to be referred to the NSW Police Financial Crimes Unit but police yesterday revealed the school had yet to decide whether to pursue criminal charges.

St Ignatius’ did not return calls from The Australian yesterday and has refused to reveal any ­further details on the nature or scale of the alleged misconduct. But in an email to parents on Wednesday the acting principal revealed an internal investigation had led to Mr Duric being fired after he allegedly made “admissions” to the school.

Mr Duric was leading a fundraising project to raise $150 million for the school’s capital works in his role as head of advancement, which manages fundraising and donations, including those from alumni and parents.

St Ignatius’ is one of 102 private schools targeted for a funding reduction under the new Gonski funding model after it was identified as one of the most overfunded schools in Sydney

Mr Duric previously worked for the University of Sydney’s $600m philanthropic campaign, Inspired, before joining the school in 2015.