A former Drake University employee, accused of embezzling $470,000, is now in custody. Fourty-nine-year-old Robert Harlan is accused of taking the money from student accounts since 2004.

For the past 10 years, Harlan had been Drake University’s Director of Student Accounts, but he worked at the Des Moines institution for more than 20 years. Harlan reportedly told investigators he had no idea how much money he’d taken, but claimed he gave it away to family, friends and “people in need.”

Harlan turned himself in to police this morning. He’s charged with five counts of first-degree theft. Although Harlan is currently accused of taking $470,000, Drake University reports losses of more than $600,000.