Former St. Kate's Dean Pleads Guilty to $400K Embezzlement

Laura Jean Fero, the former dean of nursing at St. Catherine University, pleaded guilty to one count of theft by swindle, admitting to embezzling over $400,000 through bogus contracts with her boyfriend, Juan Ramon Bruce. Under a plea agreement, she will be placed on probation for up to three years and is required to pay $25,000 in restitution, with five additional charges being dismissed upon successful completion of her probation. Fero's actions included using a university procurement card for personal travel expenses while providing little to no services in return for the university. Her boyfriend was previously acquitted of similar charges after a jury trial. Fero has since relocated to Boone, North Carolina, after leaving St. Catherine's in August 2023. Sentencing for Fero is scheduled for June 11, 2025.