Former Marquette employee accused of stealing $63,500 in rent through decade-long fraud scheme

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A former Marquette University employee is facing felony charges after allegedly using his position to avoid paying rent on university-owned housing for nearly a decade.

A criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court accuses 40-year-old Michael Gerard of theft by false representation and computer crimes.

Officials allege that between 2014 and 2024, Gerard, who worked in the Office of Residence Life, used his access to Marquette’s housing database to manipulate records, preventing rent from being charged to his account.

According to the complaint, Gerard altered data to make it appear as if his assigned apartment at Gilman Apartments was unavailable, assigned to staff, or closed. Prosecutors say the fraudulent changes resulted in Gerard living rent-free, costing the university around $63,500.

Gerard reportedly admitted to making the unauthorized changes, initially claiming a former director had approved the arrangement.

A Marquette spokesperson declined to answer any questions about Gerard's claims, how the scheme was able to go undetected for so long, and if any changes were being put into place to make sure this doesn't happen again, but did confirm Gerard is no longer employed.

CBS 58 also went to Gerard's West Bend home to ask if he wanted to say anything about the charges, but a family member said, "no comment."

Gerard will make his first court appearance on Monday, March 24, at 1:15 p.m.