RALEIGH, N.C.

A high-ranking administrator at North Carolina Central University stole thousands of dollars in federal research grant money, possibly to pay off personal items bought with his university credit card, according to a state audit released Tuesday.

State Auditor Les Merritt said the assistant provost, who was not identified in the audit, also hid for three years a romantic relationship with a student, in violation of university policy. The student also received a one-month health research grant from the administrator worth nearly $3,000, even through she never worked at the school. His report also found that a one-year, $18,700 contract for the student was blocked by another university official.

Merritt has forwarded the audit to state and federal prosecutors for a possible criminal prosecution.

“This violation represents a very serious offense and the punishment should reflect this,” the audit said of the hidden relationship. “University management should consider the strongest disciplinary action given the magnitude of the misconduct.”

Officials at N.C. Central didn’t return phone calls Tuesday seeking comment. A prepared statement from the school said the administrator has been relieved of his duties as assistant provost and associate vice chancellor of academic affairs but remains on the university faculty. The school also will make him repay the money.

The school “takes the fiduciary duty entrusted to us by the (University of North Carolina) Board of Governors and the State of North Carolina very seriously. We understand that integrity and transparency are paramount in meeting this important obligation,” the statement said.

Campus police are still investigating and the university said it would review its fiscal controls to reduce fraud.

N.C. Central, a historically Black university in Durham, “has a solid reputation and I hope that the actions of one individual do not taint the positive work they are doing to educate North Carolinians,” Merritt said in a statement.