Paul Fischer, a former professor at Macalester College in St Paul, Minnesota, is facing a felony charge for allegedly spilling his urine on a student’s backpack. The incident reportedly caused more than $2,000 in damages.
Mr Fischer, 55, has been cited for first-degree damage to property and is linked to at least half a dozen similar incidents involving urine at the liberal arts college over the course of a year. These incidents included urine found in trash cans, water bottles, and professors' decorations within the Olin-Rice science center.
Police began investigating after a student reported finding urine on her backpack in December. Investigators determined Mr Fischer was responsible for the series of urine-related cases. He resigned from Macalester College, where he had worked for 25 years, during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Authorities confronted Mr Fischer, who allegedly stated that over the past one and a half to two years, he had developed a habit of urinating in a cup and disposing of the contents in trash cans or lab sinks on campus. He claimed that on the day of the reported backpack damage, a cup of urine spilled onto the student’s belongings as he was emptying it into a trash can.
Prosecutors for Ramsey County, Minnesota, charged Mr Fischer through a criminal complaint on 7 October. If convicted as charged, he could face up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.