COLUMBIA - The State Law Enforcement Division has charged the head of procurement at S.C. State University with misusing more than $10,000 of the school's money.

Willie Harrison, 54, surrendered Tuesday on charges filed last week by the Orangeburg County grand jury, his lawyer and prosecutors said.

Harrison has resigned, is pleading not guilty and is free on his word to show up for court, said John O'Leary, his attorney.

Harrison was hired in April 1995 after working at the state Public Safety Department, university spokeswoman Shondra Abraham said. Harrison worked at the police academy, a division of Public Safety, as a prison trusty while serving time for armed robbery, according to O'Leary and government documents.

Harrison was paroled in May 1976, prison records show.

The academy hired Harrison as a paid employee, said O'Leary, who worked there and became its director in 1982.

O'Leary describes Harrison as trustworthy and a hard worker.

Harrison has twice been convicted of armed robbery, according to 1st Circuit Solicitor Walter Bailey and Harrison's police record.

Abraham did not know whether the college routinely conducts criminal background checks on prospective employees who handle public money.

University President Andrew Hugine Jr. said "all employees are expected to conduct themselves with a high standard of ethical conduct that does not bring negative exposure to the university."

According to the indictments, Harrison used a university-issued credit card to buy for himself a television, furniture, garden supplies and other items worth at least $5,000.

He also is accused of converting purchase orders so he could rent vehicles for himself and his family, said Bailey, the chief prosecutor in Orangeburg, Calhoun and Dorchester counties.

Bailey would not elaborate beyond the felony indictments, but he said auditors are looking further into finances in the procurement office.

If convicted, Harrison faces up to 10 years in prison for each count.