Alain Kaloyeros, the embattled president of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, has resigned amid a corruption probe.
Kaloyeros is facing federal and state charges accusing him of participating in bid-rigging in the awarding of state contracts, including those involving the SolarCity project in Buffalo. He has been on unpaid administrative leave since being charged last month and has denied any wrongdoing.
The high-profile leader said Tuesday he does intend to return to his position as a faculty member. He also said he recognizes his continued leadership "would pose a distraction from SUNY Poly continuing its good work."
Kaloyeros is among nine people charged in the federal indictment. Also among named in the criminal complaint are three executives with Buffalo developer LPCiminelli.
SUNY Chairman H. Carl McCall and Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher issued the following statement Tuesday afternoon:
“We accept Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros’ resignation as president of SUNY Poly, and we are evaluating his request to return to his faculty position.? As Dr. Kaloyeros indicated in his resignation letter, his ‘continued leadership would pose a distraction from SUNY Poly continuing its good work’.
“While Dr. Kaloyeros’ service as president has ended, his practices and actions are under our ongoing review. In addition, we will continue to cooperate with federal and state prosecutors as their respective investigations continue.
“We continue to direct executive staff at SUNY System Administration, under the leadership of Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Alexander N. Cartwright, to serve in an officer-in-charge capacity for the campus until an individual can be appointed.
“Our primary focus continues to be the thousands of students, faculty, researchers, and staff that SUNY Poly serves.”
SUNY Student Assembly President and Trustee Marc Cohen also issued a statement late Tuesday, which in part said:
"Our primary goal is to ensure that the students at campuses in both Utica and Albany are receiving the highest level of education and service. No student should be adversely affected, and we will seek to make ourselves a resource to any that may need support."
