Ex-president of Elementary School's PTA charged with embezzlement in North Carolina

FROM STARNEWSONLINE.COM

Deputies on Thursday charged the former president of Sunset Park Elementary School's Parent-Teacher Association with one count of embezzlement after an investigation uncovered evidence suggesting she allegedly used PTA money to pay her personal debts, officials said.

Authorities processed April Ann Powell, 34, through the New Han- over County jail about 3 p.m. She was released on a $7,500 unsecured bond about an hour later, deputies said.
Cpl. Jerry Brewer, a spokesman for the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, confirmed the investigation and said detectives believed Powell embezzled money over a four-month period in 2010.
He said he did not know how much money was involved.
Denise Szaloky, president of the New Hanover County Council of PTAs, said Powell resigned from her post in December, and the role of Sunset Park PTA president has remained vacant ever since.
"PTA works to teach and train its volunteers on financial management and expects everyone to hold themselves and their work for children to the highest standards of ethical behavior," Szaloky said in a statement. "Hours of training are offered to the leaders from online instruction to various workshops throughout the year. Proper PTA procedures are currently being followed."
She added that the investigation was ongoing.
Tim Markley, the New Hanover County schools superintendent, said district administrators regretted that the incident happened but said it was a PTA issue.
PTAs and the county school system function as separate entities financially.
"This, in no way, reflects upon the great work the vast majority of our PTA/PTO folks do," he said. "In these tough budget times, PTA/PTOs have stepped in to be great partners. And we would not want one incident to tarnish the record of these groups."