MTSU professor faces multiple charges, including theft and forgery, following state investigation
According to the Tennessee Comptroller's Office, the investigation started after an internal university audit reported 'questionable transactions' to the state office. The investigation focused on the role of Don Hong in the university's Actuarial Science Program and investigated transactions between January 2020 and February 2025.
Read the full investigative report here
The investigation reportedly found that Hong misappropriated at least $8,225.48 in donations intended for MTSU. Hong allegedly encouraged students to donate in support of the Actuarial Science Program, but the donations were transferred to Hong's personal bank account rather than being transferred into a university-managed fund. He did remit some donations to MTSU, but the Tennessee Comptroller's Office said that he failed to turn over at least $8,225.48.
However, after investigators started reviewing Hong's transactions, he submitted an additional $11,700 to MTSU. Additionally, the investigation found that Hong received cash from students for airport transportation, which he allegedly claimed as a reimbursable expense from the university. The state Comptroller's Office also reported that Hong accepted 'other questionable payments' from students and used student labor for personal benefit without proper authorization.
Hong allegedly used a false identity and a fake business name to lease his personally-owned rental properties to international students recruited through his university-funded role. The investigation found that Hong 'appeared to retaliate' against a student who reported his misconduct by submitting an anonymous allegation of academic misconduct using a false identity associated with his personal information.
The investigation also found that Hong did not report a student's allegation of violence after it was reported to him. According to the investigative report, when the student approached Hong, he advised her not to contact police 'saying it would being shame because they are Chinese.'
On Monday, a Rutherford County grand jury indicted 65-year-old Hong on two counts of theft, one count of forgery, one count of criminal simulation, one count of official misconduct, one count of official oppression and one count of retaliation. Hong was booked into the Rutherford County jail on a $500,000 bond Wednesday.
News 2 received the following statement from MTSU:
'MTSU's Office of Audit and Consulting Services first brought these concerns to the attention of the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury and the University cooperated extensively with the Comptroller's office in its investigation. The allegations brought forth are serious and, if proven true, we will act quickly and appropriately in the best interest of the University and its students.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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