( CNN ) -- A former Harvard University student , who compiled world-class academic credentials by allegedly fabricating his own history and plagiarizing others ' work , pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him Tuesday , according to a Massachusetts prosecutor . At his arraignment in Woburn , Massachusetts , Adam Wheeler , 23 , entered his plea against the 20 counts he faces , including larceny , identity fraud , falsifying an endorsement or approval and pretending to hold a degree , according to Middlesex County District Attorney Gerry Leone . In a statement , Leone said Wheeler , of Delaware , is accused of falsifying transcripts that detailed an outstanding academic career at some of Massachusetts ' finest institutions . He was exposed after submitting applications and references for the Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships while a student at Harvard University in 2009 , according to Leone . A Harvard professor reviewing Wheeler 's application for one of the scholarships noticed similarities between Wheeler 's work and that of another professor . After comparing both pieces of work , the professor determined that Wheeler had plagiarized most of his application packet , Leone said . The university launched an internal investigation and began to look into Wheeler 's file . University officials discovered that Wheeler had fabricated recommendations from Harvard professors , college transcripts reflecting perfect grades and a résumé listing numerous books he had co-authored , lectures he had given and courses he had taught , according to the release . While he was at Harvard , Wheeler won the university 's Winthrop Sargent Prize in English and the Hoopes Prize for outstanding scholarly work , as well as a research grant , all with plagiarized submissions , Leone said . `` Not only was this defendant untruthful on his application to the University and his numerous scholarship applications , he is also alleged to have stolen over $ 45,000 in grants , scholarship and financial aid money awarded to him on applications and submissions of documents that were based on lies and reproductions of other people 's hard work , '' Leone said . Officials also discovered that Wheeler also had submitted false SAT scores and had fabricated transcripts from both the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Phillips Academy in Andover , although he never attended either school , the prosecutor said . Harvard officials also found that Wheeler had previously attended Bowdoin College in Maine , where he was suspended due to academic dishonesty , according to Leone . In January , after leaving Harvard , Wheeler applied for an internship at McLean Hospital in Belmont , Massachusetts , `` stating that [ he ] was taking the spring semester off from Harvard to work on two scholarly books , '' Leone said in the release . Wheeler was turned down by the hospital after a background check revealed he had falsified documents , Leone said . At the same time , Wheeler also submitted transfer applications to both Yale and Brown universities , claiming to be an intern at McLean Hospital , according to the prosecutor .
NEW : Ex - Harvard student pleaded not guilty to 20 counts in fraud , court case . James Wheeler , 23 , charged with larceny , pretending to hold a degree . Wheeler won two Harvard prizes with plagiarized work , prosecutor says . Also accused of stealing more than $ 5000 in grants , financial aid .