The FAMU Division of Audit and Compliance is investigating something at the College of Law – FAMU officials won't say what – but it may involve an employee in the registrar's office, The Gradebook has learned. According to several law students who emailed The Gradebook, it may also involve allegations of unauthorized grade changes.

The employee is Deborah Swain, a program assistant who students say has essentially been working as the acting registrar for months. FAMU spokewoman Sharon Saunders said via emails that she could not answer questions about Swain, citing two sections of Florida public records law, including one that pertains to "records maintained for the purpose of any investigation of employee misconduct." Saunders also said she could not offer any details about the investigation beyond the fact that it started Jan. 28.

The law school's rumor mill is rampant with details, but we're going to hold off until more can be confirmed. The Gradebook tried to reach Swain by phone and e-mail, but did not get a response.

If the investigation does involve unauthorized grade changes, it is unclear whether it is tied to an ongoing probe by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tallahassee, which began looking into similar issues at FAMU in November.

- Ron Matus, state education reporter