Two former Liberty High School employees charged with several financial crimes have applied for pretrial intervention.
In April of 2011, former LHS principal Randy Gilstrap and bookkeeper Beua Denard were arrested on several charges related to misuse of funds.
The arrests came after an initial school district investigation.
District officials placed Gilstrap on administrative in February 2011.
District officials then requested the Liberty Police Department investigate.
Liberty Police asked the State Law Enforcement Division to step in.
Gilstrap was charged with embezzlement of public funds, breach of trust and financial transaction card fraud. SLED warrants alleged that Gilstrap embezzled embezzled more than $10,000 from the School District of Pickens County between November 2008 and February 2011.
Warrants allege that Gilstrap manipulated deposits and diverted funds intended for use by the district and that he also used a financial transaction card to make unauthorized purchases for his personal use.
Following his arrest, Gilstrap resigned as LHS principal.
Following his arrest, Gilstrap resigned as LHS principal.
Last year, the State Board of Education voted to suspend Gilstrap's educator's certificate for three years
Several days after Gilstrap's arrest, Denard was arrested and charged with is charged with embezzlement of public funds and breach of trust.
SLED warrants alleged that Denard allegedly stole more than $2,000 from Liberty High School and the School District of Pickens County while she was employed as bookkeeper from 2009-2011.
The Pickens County News recently reported that Gilstrap and Denard have applied for pretrial intervention.
Pretrial intervention is available only for first time non-violent offenders who are not deemed to be a threat to society, according to the Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor's Office.
PTI participants must pay restitution if applicable, perform community service and receive counseling.
Upon successful completion of pretrial intervention, the charge or charges will be dismissed.
The amount of community service is determined by the number of and type of charges filed against the applicant.
Participants are then eligible to apply for the charges to be expunged from their records.
According to the solicitor's office, it takes between 4-6 weeks after the initial PTI application for approval.
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