LINCOLNTON — Gaston College is paying nearly half a million dollars to the federal government after a U.S. Department of Education review uncovered multiple violations.

Additional fines and legal damages for the community college could still result from the matter, which is also the subject of a lawsuit from a former employee.

College spokeswoman Linda Greer said Tuesday that the school reached an arrangement with DOE to pay the $469,247.77 identified in the review.

Former financial aid director Peggy Oates is suing the school, saying it fired her last year and blamed her for the review findings. Oates says she not only tried to persuade other college officials to comply with federal regulations, but she also reported the officials to DOE when they refused.