Many companies and government entities have been affected by the downturn of the economy. This country’s educational institutions have seen budgets cut, employees laid off, and therefore look to school administrators to make wise decisions to keep spending in check in order for students to receive the best education possible in these lean times. Unfortunately for one Michigan school district, the administrator in charge of the district’s finances abused his office for personal gain.
Jumanne Sledge, the Assistant Superintendent for Organization and Development, was charged for embezzling $230,000 in Pontiac School District funds in 2011. In his position with the school district, Sledge was responsible for oversight of finances and human resources. He was suspended last year for mismanagement of funds. According to investigators, Sledge directed a Pontiac district employee to write a check to him in the amount of $236,000 payable to “Leadership Academy.” Sledge then allegedly deposited the check into an account that he controlled. Two months later, Sledge opened another account and deposited $200,000 of those funds, which he then used for personal expenses.
The check was discovered when Pontiac School District Security Chief, Darryl Cosby, had been investigating finances at the school board’s request after the district’s deficit doubled in two years. Crosby turned the check over to FBI investigators.
The Bloomfield Hills resident voluntarily turned himself into authorities and was accompanied by his lawyer at his arraignment in March of this year. The United States Department of Justice in Detroit indicted Sledge on charges of program fraud and money laundering after the FBI investigated the case. Sledge entered a plea of not guilty and was released on an unsecured bond.
The trial for Sledge was scheduled for July 24, but has now been postponed until September 11.
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