The former Texas Southern University Regent who first raised questions about the furniture purchases of former President Priscilla Slade testified Wednesday, KPRC Local 2 reported. Former regent Belinda Griffin testified that she went to Slade’s Memorial park home in January 2013 to pick up some items that Slade had purchased for her on a trip to China. Griffin told the jury that she thought Slade had a beautiful home. During a tour, Slade described some of the elaborate and expensive furniture. “I commented on how lovely it was and she made mention that the university had paid for items,” Griffin testified.

Prosecutor Donna Goode asked Griffin what she thought after Slade made that comment. Griffin told the jury that Slade assured her the university had a history of purchasing furniture for its presidents. Later, outside of the courtroom, Slade’s attorney Mike DeGeurin told reporters that admission by Slade shows she never intentionally broke the law.

“Obviously, she told Griffin this is furniture that belongs to TSU and that had been done with other presidents so I think that does show a very innocent state of mind,” DeGeurin said. But Griffin and former board chairman J. Paul Johnson told the jury that other TSU presidents either lived in homes owned by the university or had the furniture provision in their contracts. Slade did not. After touring Slade’s home, Griffin testified that she took her concerns to Johnson, who asked the university’s internal auditor to investigate. In June 2013, the regents voted to fire Slade for violating university policy and state law. She is charged with two felony counts of misapplication of fiduciary property. She is accused of spending more than $500,000 of TSU money to buy furniture, landscaping and install a security system for her home. If convicted, Slade faces punishment ranging from probation to life in prison.