Ohio Cancer Society Official, Charged With Embezzlement, Turns Himself In

By HARVY LIPMAN

A top executive of the American Cancer Society’s Ohio division who had disappeared after allegedly embezzling $6.9-million has turned himself in to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Daniel S. Wiant, chief administrative officer of the Ohio division, surrendered to authorities at the Columbus airport after arriving on a flight from Toronto. He had traveled to Canada from Austria.

Mr. Wiant is accused of having wired money from the cancer society’s bank in Ohio to a bank account in Austria.

Harvey Schwartz, the society’s vice president for development, said the cash has been frozen in the Austrian bank and will be returned to the charity.

Mr. Schwartz added that after learning about Mr. Wiant’s alleged embezzlement and the fact that he had a criminal record in three other states, the cancer society has expanded the background checks it conducts on all new employees and is investigating whether it can legally conduct such checks on people who already hold jobs with the charity.

The cancer society began conducting criminal background checks on prospective employees two years ago, Mr. Schwartz said, adding that Mr. Wiant was hired in 1994.

Mr. Wiant has not made any public comments about the allegations.

For additional background, see an article from the June 15 issue of The Chronicle.