The former president of University of Miane at Augusta (UMA) is scheduled to begin receiving unemployment benefits this month, despite never working at UMA.
According to the Portland Press Herald, ex-UMA president Michael Laliberte withdrew his contract shortly after he was hired by UMA in April 2022 when reports revealed he had received two votes of “no confidence” during his previous job as president of State University of New York at New Delhi.
Without working a single day on the job, Laliberte collected $235,000 last year as part of the settlement between himself and the UMaine System. Now, he is set to begin receiving monthly payments of nearly $20,000 for his continued unemployment.
A spokesperson of the UMaine System says Laliberte has made good faith efforts in searching for employment.
If Laliberte remains unemployed and continues to provide proof of his attempts to find employment, he will receive these payments until July 1, 2025.
