Bogus Donor Continues to Dog Portland State University Foundation

The Portland State University Foundation is trying to put would-be donor John Fitzpatrick behind it after a scandal that led to the Sept. 1 resignations of CEO Françoise Aylmer and chief development officer Kristin Coppola.

“The university has had no more nor desires to have any discussions with Mr. Fitzpatrick,” said Portland State University spokesman Scott Gallagher.

Interim CEO Lindsay Stewart, a former board of trustees member and chief of staff at Nike, started Wednesday but declined a request for an interview through the foundation’s spokeswoman.

Fitzpatrick, whose bogus $100 million offer led to the resignations, said he himself places the blame at the feet of PSU President Wim Wiewel and PSU Foundation Board of Trustees chairman Mark Rosenbaum rather than Aylmer and Coppola.