University Park, Pa. (WJAC) – A New Jersey woman is charged with damaging the iconic Penn State statue in May, court documents said.
University police charge 23-year-old Julia Cipparulo of Hillsborough, N.J. with felony counts of institutional vandalism, criminal mischief and other theft charges.
Police said surveillance video from multiple cameras around campus showed a woman matching Cipparulo’s physical features moving and hiding in bushes. They said she was seen at Old Main doors at 4:50 a.m., on May 8, and 10 minutes later is seen damaging Hintz Alumni Center by painting “FTG” on the building, representing “For the Glory”. Police said she then damaged the Deike Building.
The criminal complaint said she was seen hiding a backpack and sweatshirt near the Forum building, which police recovered.
Police said they developed Cipparulo as a suspect because of similar vandalism she committed in June 2021, when they said she painted the Lion Shrine with teal paint and used permanent markers to deface Old Main and the Alumni Center. They said damage in 2021 exceeded $20,000.
The criminal complaint said a search warrant was served on her home in Hillsborough where evidence was recovered.
Police said they told Cipparulo of their investigation and explained to her the recovery of the ear would mitigate the costs associated with repairing the statue. They said she took them to a location and recovered the ear.
The affidavit says she admitted to traveling to State College on May 8 and that she acted alone. The document said police used data from her phone that show geolocations detailing her movement from New Jersey to State College.
Police said that Cipparulo painted “Osaze, Tim, Ashley, Justine” on the walkway around the Lion. They said the names represent students who have died in the State College area recently.
The document said Cipparulo told police she had been assaulted while she was at Penn State, and she expressed frustration with the Alumni Association and University Administration. She said she was traumatized and felt disgraced because she once gave tours to prospective students. She said she felt she tricked people to come to people by telling them they’d be safe and happy at Penn State.
The affidavit said she said “This is my peaceful protest. The back of the lion is red, because to the front I looks like everything is ok. Just like Penn State. Everything is ok. From the back, it’s all bloody and broken. The names spray painted on the ground. No one seems to think about them anymore. The ear, it’s because people are finally going to notice. It’s not hiding anymore. It’s bloody and broken. The other ear has been broken and glued on.”
Police said total costs for the restoration, maintenance and repair was $26,029.23.
She is scheduled for arraignment in Centre County Court on Monday.
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