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HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (AP) - A defense attorney says a former professor at the center of an academic scandal involving athletes at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will plead not guilty to a felony fraud charge.
Julius Nyang'oro, a former chairman of the school's Department of African and Afro-American Studies, is accused of receiving $12,000 for a lecture course while holding no classes.
After an initial hearing Tuesday, attorney Bill Thomas said Nyang'oro would plead not guilty. He says it was an "unfortunate decision" to charge Nyang'oro.
A trial date of Dec. 17 was set for Nyang'oro, who turned himself in to authorities earlier Tuesday. He was released on $30,000 bond.
He could face up to 10 months in prison if convicted. The university said it recouped the $12,000.
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