Woman accused of embezzling from school system in North Carolina

FROM WSOCTV.COM -

One woman is accused of embezzling more than $20,000 in Union County.

Twelve years ago, Susan Parker worked for a few months as a bookkeeper for a Union County school.
Then, she returned to work at Union County Schools central office four years ago.
Last year, members of a Marshville church told investigators that Parker stole $17,000 in checks. When school officials found out, they questioned Parker, who was the secretary to the director of elementary education.
Detectives said they even checked her purchase orders.
“There were no red flags raised as far as the fact that they thought they were missing money,” said Detective Andy Mullis with the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
The school system still fired Parker after she was charged with embezzlement at the church. Then, two months ago, officials noticed some unusual credit card purchases.
"Small purchases -- stuff that wouldn't really be noticed,” Mullis said. “Stuff that wouldn't stand out all of a sudden.”
Some bills were as small as $20. They were all for groceries, starting months after Parker began work at the central office four years ago. The credit card charges totaled more than $6,000.
Parker was arrested Thursday.