Plzeň, Czech Republic – A former dean of the Faculty of Health Studies at the University of West Bohemia in Plzeň, Lukáš Štich, has received a one-year suspended sentence, a three-year ban from managing public funds, and a fine of 150,000 Czech crowns (approximately $6,500 USD as of March 7, 2026) for improperly handling scholarship funds. The ruling, delivered Friday by a Plzeň district court, also requires Štich to repay 765,000 Czech crowns (roughly $33,000 USD) to the university, representing the damages incurred. The verdict is not yet final, meaning it can be appealed.
The case centers around allegations that Štich awarded disproportionately high extraordinary scholarships to students and then received a significant portion of the funds back. Even as Štich admitted to awarding the scholarships, he maintained that the returned money was used for the benefit of the faculty, a claim the court ultimately rejected. The scandal, first brought to light by Novinky.cz in 2023, has raised concerns about financial oversight within the university system.
According to the prosecution, Štich approved the scholarships – ranging from approximately 5,000 to 30,000 Czech crowns – to students in over 50 instances between the end of February 2019 and June 2022. These scholarships were allegedly granted in exchange for operate performed for the faculty, assistance with faculty events, and similar services. Students then reportedly returned the funds to Štich, ostensibly for faculty operations, equipment, or construction work.
Court Finds Intent Irrelevant to Criminality
The court emphasized that whether Štich personally benefited from the scheme was not a determining factor in the conviction. Judge Vladimír Žák stated, as reported by Novinky.cz, “The criminal act was completed at the moment the money left the students and the university lost control over it. Regardless of how the accused disposed of it, it was in violation of the purpose for which the scholarship fund is intended.” The court found that the transactions occurred outside of the university’s accounting system and without the school’s knowledge.
The University of West Bohemia, which acted as the injured party in the proceedings, expressed satisfaction with the outcome. “It has been confirmed that there was an unacceptable abuse of the scholarship fund, which was intended for students, and at the same time an abuse of their trust. We consider this to be a serious failure of an individual, not of the institution as such,” said university spokesperson Andrea Čandová, according to Plzeňský deník. Čandová added that the university has strengthened its financial controls in recent years to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Dean’s Defense and University Response
Štich, during the trial, denied keeping the money for personal leverage, claiming it was all allocated to faculty expenses. He cited instances such as purchasing necessary cameras at a favorable price and acquiring sports equipment for health courses as examples of how the funds were utilized. However, the court found these explanations insufficient.
The university emphasized that Štich is no longer affiliated with the institution. “Mr. Štich left the university in the past and does not currently hold any position there,” Čandová stated. The university has implemented stricter financial oversight mechanisms to safeguard against future misuse of funds.
This case highlights the importance of robust financial controls within academic institutions and the potential for abuse when oversight is lacking. The outcome sends a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated. The university’s recovery of the 765,000 Czech crowns represents a significant step towards rectifying the financial damage caused by Štich’s actions.
The legal proceedings are now concluded at the district court level, but the possibility of an appeal remains. The university will likely continue to review and refine its internal financial procedures to ensure the integrity of its scholarship programs. Further developments will depend on whether Štich chooses to challenge the court’s decision.
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