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November 20, 2009

Ex OU employee accused of setting fires

By Meghan McCormick

A former University of Oklahoma employee who was in charge of chemistry lab safety has been accused of setting three separate fires in the chemistry department, according to court papers.

Prosecutors have charged Susan Lauterbach, 46, of Norman, in Cleveland County District Court with three counts of first-degree arson.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Lauterbach was assigned to lab safety and management of the Instructional Labs stockroom.

Catherine Bishop, University of Oklahoma vice president for public affairs, said Lauterbach was placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation and her employment was terminated when charges were filed. She had worked for OU since June 1986.

According to the charges filed, Lauterbach allegedly set a fire in room 326 at the OU Chemistry Annex Building on Sept. 8. She also is accused of setting fires in a hallway in the OU Chemistry Building on Sept. 10 and another fire in the stairway of the OU Chemistry Annex Building Sept. 11.

Lauterbach was arrested and released from the Cleveland County Detention Center Tuesday on a $5,000 bond.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed with the charges, Lauterbach disliked her supervisor and believed him to be an adversary.

She stated in an e-mail sent to another employee, "If the building burns, it's not my problem," according to the affidavit.

Lauterbach felt she was "unappreciated and undercompensated and that her authority had been downgraded," according to the affidavit.

"Lauterbach had also requested extra compensation for her efforts to clean up and restore Room 326 in the Chemistry Annex Building after a previous fire on October 8, 2008 and her financial compensation request was denied," the affidavit stated. "It is believed that Room 326 was specifically targeted by Lauterbach for this reason. Control of the budget for the Instructional Labs had been taken away from Lauterbach. Lauterbach had become upset with how changes were occurring in the chemistry department and her role in the decision making."

Court records show a preliminary hearing conference for Lauterbach has been scheduled for 1 p.m. Dec. 1.

Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com

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