NYU Researcher Spent Grant Cash On Fancy Trips, Feds Say

WEST VILLAGE, NY — A former NYU researcher has been accused of stealing government money meant for critical neurological research and using it on expensive trips for himself and his friends.

Dr. Alexander Neumeister was arrested last week and appeared in federal court on Tuesday, prosecutors said. The acting U.S. Attorney in Manhattan, Joon Kim, said Neumeister stole at least $9,000 in government research money plus another $4,300 from NYU to pay for personal expenses.

Among his purchases, Neumeister bought roundtrip flights from New York to Salt Lake City to visit an unnamed "friend" and paid for an all-expenses-paid trip to Miami Beach for himself and the friend, prosecutors said.

Neumeister was stealing money at least between 2012 and 2014, prosecutors said.

At the time, he was a prominent neurological researcher conducting psychiatric research into post-traumatic stress disorder. Neumeister was dismissed from NYU last year.

Neumeister, 51, is charged with theft of government funds and wire fraud. He is also facing civil claims under the False Claims Act.

Patch was not immediately able to contact Neumeister's attorney for comment.

Image credit: Ciara McCarthy / Patch