Authorities say a 57-year-old woman has been arrested in an embezzlement and forgery case involving a northern Lower Peninsula youth baseball league and a high school.The Crawford County sheriff's department says Sandy Enos of Grayling was arrested Tuesday on embezzlement and forgery charges following a months-long investigation. Bond was set at more than $50,000.
The District Court in Grayling says there was no lawyer on record Wednesday morning for Enos. A telephone listing for her wasn't accepting calls Wednesday morning.
The sheriff's department says Enos served as treasurer of the Grayling Little League and was involved in financial accounts at Grayling High School.
Showing posts with label MILWAUKEE THIRD WARD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MILWAUKEE THIRD WARD. Show all posts
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Woman seeks reduced bond in Johnson City, Tennessee church theft case
A Bristol woman serving an eight-year prison sentence on a conviction of stealing more than $400,000 from a business where she worked in Shelby County asked a judge Monday to reduce her bond on a similar charge in Washington County.
Jessica Tramel, 34, is charged with theft over $60,000 for allegedly taking over $200,000 from Unaka Avenue Baptist Church, where she worked as a secretary. The job included handling financial transactions.
Tramel is accused of using a church credit card illegally between Jan. 1, 2009, and May 1, 2011. She came to possess the card after the former church treasurer, Russell Stover, gave it to her. She was supposed to have his name removed from the account and destroy the card.
Instead, according to court documents, Tramel is accused of using the card to make numerous purchases over the Internet from companies such as Amazon, Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy.
The card was also used locally to purchase manicures and spa services.
Currently Tramel is serving a sentence from the Shelby County conviction in the Johnson City Jail. On Monday, she told a judge that it will expire Oct. 18, which would allow her to post bond on the charge she faces here. According to court records, Tramel’s bond is $150,000.
The hearing Monday was to ask Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood to reduce that amount to $25,000. Tramel testified she hopes to get out of jail while her case is pending to spend time with her husband and children.
Tramel’s attorney, Brad Sproles, based his argument for her release on her family ties to the community — her parents, husband and children live in Bristol — and an odd circumstance in her prior case that he says shows she can be trusted.
In that case, Tramel was denied probation and ordered to serve the sentence at a February 2004 hearing in Shelby County. Tramel was hired as an office worker for a jewelry store, but quickly became a trusted employee and began handling the owners’ personal and business finances.
That led to Tramel — then known as Jessica Trotter-Lawson — to begin stealing money from the store. Over a two-year period, Tramel took nearly $500,000 from the business, according to court records.
After being ordered to serve the full sentence, Tramel appealed and the Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the sentence and ruled Tramel should serve one year in prison and the rest of the sentence on probation.
That decision came one year after Tramel’s sentence began, so she was released.
But 16 months later, the state Supreme Court reversed the CCA’s decision and ordered Tramel back to prison. She had 11 days to report to jail in Memphis.
Part of Sproles’ argument for his client’s trustworthiness is that fact that she did report back to jail as ordered. Another thing in her favor, Sproles told the judge, is her ability to work with minimal supervision in the community.
The Johnson City Jail is a “work camp” for state female inmates and everyone housed there has a job on city property. Tramel testified she works at the city golf course doing lawn maintenance and trash pick-up.
It’s allowed her to halve her sentence. The inmates earn an extra day for each day they work.
When Tramel was arrested for the theft from the church here, she was on parole from the previous conviction. Officials revoked her parole because of the new charge.
Both Sproles and Assistant District Attorney General Ken Baldwin indicated the case will likely be resolved with a plea.
Instead of ruling on the bond reduction Monday, Blackwood reset the case for Oct. 11. He said if the case isn’t resolved by a plea by then, he would consider the motion to reduce bond.
Baldwin opposed any reduction in Tramel’s bond.
Read more: http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=102671#ixzz28tsPPKvb
Jessica Tramel, 34, is charged with theft over $60,000 for allegedly taking over $200,000 from Unaka Avenue Baptist Church, where she worked as a secretary. The job included handling financial transactions.
Tramel is accused of using a church credit card illegally between Jan. 1, 2009, and May 1, 2011. She came to possess the card after the former church treasurer, Russell Stover, gave it to her. She was supposed to have his name removed from the account and destroy the card.
Instead, according to court documents, Tramel is accused of using the card to make numerous purchases over the Internet from companies such as Amazon, Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy.
The card was also used locally to purchase manicures and spa services.
Currently Tramel is serving a sentence from the Shelby County conviction in the Johnson City Jail. On Monday, she told a judge that it will expire Oct. 18, which would allow her to post bond on the charge she faces here. According to court records, Tramel’s bond is $150,000.
The hearing Monday was to ask Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood to reduce that amount to $25,000. Tramel testified she hopes to get out of jail while her case is pending to spend time with her husband and children.
Tramel’s attorney, Brad Sproles, based his argument for her release on her family ties to the community — her parents, husband and children live in Bristol — and an odd circumstance in her prior case that he says shows she can be trusted.
In that case, Tramel was denied probation and ordered to serve the sentence at a February 2004 hearing in Shelby County. Tramel was hired as an office worker for a jewelry store, but quickly became a trusted employee and began handling the owners’ personal and business finances.
That led to Tramel — then known as Jessica Trotter-Lawson — to begin stealing money from the store. Over a two-year period, Tramel took nearly $500,000 from the business, according to court records.
After being ordered to serve the full sentence, Tramel appealed and the Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the sentence and ruled Tramel should serve one year in prison and the rest of the sentence on probation.
That decision came one year after Tramel’s sentence began, so she was released.
But 16 months later, the state Supreme Court reversed the CCA’s decision and ordered Tramel back to prison. She had 11 days to report to jail in Memphis.
Part of Sproles’ argument for his client’s trustworthiness is that fact that she did report back to jail as ordered. Another thing in her favor, Sproles told the judge, is her ability to work with minimal supervision in the community.
The Johnson City Jail is a “work camp” for state female inmates and everyone housed there has a job on city property. Tramel testified she works at the city golf course doing lawn maintenance and trash pick-up.
It’s allowed her to halve her sentence. The inmates earn an extra day for each day they work.
When Tramel was arrested for the theft from the church here, she was on parole from the previous conviction. Officials revoked her parole because of the new charge.
Both Sproles and Assistant District Attorney General Ken Baldwin indicated the case will likely be resolved with a plea.
Instead of ruling on the bond reduction Monday, Blackwood reset the case for Oct. 11. He said if the case isn’t resolved by a plea by then, he would consider the motion to reduce bond.
Baldwin opposed any reduction in Tramel’s bond.
Read more: http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/News/article.php?id=102671#ixzz28tsPPKvb
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Ky. woman sentenced to 27 months in prison, ordered to pay $364K for embezzling from nuns in Kentucky.
FROM THEREPUBLIC.COM -
A former bookkeeper for the Little Sisters of the Poor was sentenced Tuesday to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay $364,000 in restitution for embezzling money from the charity and using it to buy herself a new car, among other items.
U.S. District Judge Joseph H. McKinley told 54-year-old Mary "Kathy" Montfort that she was getting one of the lesser sentences available, in part because the judge wanted to make sure as much money as possible is repaid to the religious order.
"Stealing from Little Sisters of the Poor, it would have been better if you stole from General Motors, from a public relations standpoint," McKinley said. "But, theft is theft."
Montfort pleaded guilty in April to pilfering the money by forging the names of nuns in writing 43 checks on the organization's account between April 2010 and November 2011. She had faced 16 charges, including forging checks and money laundering.
In federal court in Louisville, Montfort was apologetic to two nuns who sat silently in the courtroom bedecked in all-white habits.
"I know I hurt you deeply," Montfort said. "I know it's been a hardship."
Montfort also wrote a letter to the nuns, a copy of which was placed in her court file, expressing grief and distress at having taken from the order and violating their trust. Montfort wrote that she "truly loves" the nuns and apologized for taking the money.
"I know what I have done is terribly wrong and that I have hurt a lot of people in the process," Montfort wrote. "That was never my intention."
Montfort said she took the funds after running into financial difficulties and was unable to get a loan. Montfort said she planned to pay it back. "One situation led to another and I had no real idea that it had reached the level that it finally came to," Montfort wrote.
Montfort wrote that she did used the money for "personal needs," but most of it went to help people who "really needed help," including family friends who were unable to pay for a funeral and insurance costs.
"The majority of the money was used for necessities for my family and others," Montfort wrote. "I know that I have made a terrible mistake and want to do what is right to correct things."
McKinley took note of the letter and Montfort's explanation of what happened to some of it, particularly that it was given away to others.
"That wasn't your money to give away," McKinley said. "And, you certainly weren't stealing from the rich to give to the poor."
Mike O'Connell, the Jefferson County Attorney and board member of the St. Joseph's Home for the Aged, which the sisters run, told McKinley the nuns were glad the case was coming to an end.
"It's been quite an ordeal," O'Connell said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Calhoun recommended 27 to 33 months in prison for Montfort, noting that the sisters rely on donations and that they'll be without a significant amount of money unless and until restitution is paid.
"The lasting effect in this case is more significant than it would be on a corporation," Calhoun said.
The charges arose in November when a nun with Little Sisters of the Poor, who operate St. Joseph's Home for the Aged in Louisville, called police to report suspicions that Montfort was embezzling from the organization. The nun, identified only as "M.C." in a criminal complaint, told federal officers that Fifth Third Bank called to verify a $14,742 check deposited in an account belonging to one of Montfort's relatives while Montfort was on vacation.
Investigators determined the check was fraudulent and the bank conducted a review and found 43 checks totaling $200,294 paid to a relative of Montfort's from April 7, 2010 through Nov. 10, 2011. Prosecutors say Montfort, who worked for the order from 2007 until her arrest, bought a 2010 Ford Fusion and a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis with the money. Calhoun said both vehicles will be forfeited as part of the agreement.
A former bookkeeper for the Little Sisters of the Poor was sentenced Tuesday to 27 months in prison and ordered to pay $364,000 in restitution for embezzling money from the charity and using it to buy herself a new car, among other items.
U.S. District Judge Joseph H. McKinley told 54-year-old Mary "Kathy" Montfort that she was getting one of the lesser sentences available, in part because the judge wanted to make sure as much money as possible is repaid to the religious order.
"Stealing from Little Sisters of the Poor, it would have been better if you stole from General Motors, from a public relations standpoint," McKinley said. "But, theft is theft."
Montfort pleaded guilty in April to pilfering the money by forging the names of nuns in writing 43 checks on the organization's account between April 2010 and November 2011. She had faced 16 charges, including forging checks and money laundering.
In federal court in Louisville, Montfort was apologetic to two nuns who sat silently in the courtroom bedecked in all-white habits.
"I know I hurt you deeply," Montfort said. "I know it's been a hardship."
Montfort also wrote a letter to the nuns, a copy of which was placed in her court file, expressing grief and distress at having taken from the order and violating their trust. Montfort wrote that she "truly loves" the nuns and apologized for taking the money.
"I know what I have done is terribly wrong and that I have hurt a lot of people in the process," Montfort wrote. "That was never my intention."
Montfort said she took the funds after running into financial difficulties and was unable to get a loan. Montfort said she planned to pay it back. "One situation led to another and I had no real idea that it had reached the level that it finally came to," Montfort wrote.
Montfort wrote that she did used the money for "personal needs," but most of it went to help people who "really needed help," including family friends who were unable to pay for a funeral and insurance costs.
"The majority of the money was used for necessities for my family and others," Montfort wrote. "I know that I have made a terrible mistake and want to do what is right to correct things."
McKinley took note of the letter and Montfort's explanation of what happened to some of it, particularly that it was given away to others.
"That wasn't your money to give away," McKinley said. "And, you certainly weren't stealing from the rich to give to the poor."
Mike O'Connell, the Jefferson County Attorney and board member of the St. Joseph's Home for the Aged, which the sisters run, told McKinley the nuns were glad the case was coming to an end.
"It's been quite an ordeal," O'Connell said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Calhoun recommended 27 to 33 months in prison for Montfort, noting that the sisters rely on donations and that they'll be without a significant amount of money unless and until restitution is paid.
"The lasting effect in this case is more significant than it would be on a corporation," Calhoun said.
The charges arose in November when a nun with Little Sisters of the Poor, who operate St. Joseph's Home for the Aged in Louisville, called police to report suspicions that Montfort was embezzling from the organization. The nun, identified only as "M.C." in a criminal complaint, told federal officers that Fifth Third Bank called to verify a $14,742 check deposited in an account belonging to one of Montfort's relatives while Montfort was on vacation.
Investigators determined the check was fraudulent and the bank conducted a review and found 43 checks totaling $200,294 paid to a relative of Montfort's from April 7, 2010 through Nov. 10, 2011. Prosecutors say Montfort, who worked for the order from 2007 until her arrest, bought a 2010 Ford Fusion and a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis with the money. Calhoun said both vehicles will be forfeited as part of the agreement.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Vegas priest who stole church money to gamble sentenced to prison.
From: LATimes.com
For years, Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe lived something of a double life.
He was widely admired by his flock at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, which he helped build into one of the largest Roman Catholic parishes in the Las Vegas area. But at the same time, he was stealing money from the church.
He stole from the gift shop. He stole from the votive candle collection. He stole from a fund for novenas, or Masses in honor of the dead. Over nearly a decade, he pocketed about $650,000.
His motive was all too familiar in slot-machine-heavy Nevada. McAuliffe was a gambling addict.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan sentenced the priest, who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the thefts, to more than three years in prison and ordered him to pay restitution. In doing so, the judge waved off the defense's request to give McAuliffe probation.
McAuliffe’s attorney, Margaret Stanish, asked the court to consider his lifelong devotion to the Catholic Church, which started with helping nuns when he was a schoolboy. McAuliffe has also been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and depression, she said, but in recent months had “excelled” in gambling addiction treatment.
“Some supporters see the potential for something good to come from the realization that their trusted spiritual leader also suffers from human frailty, a frailty that merits forgiveness in accordance with their religious beliefs,” she wrote.
Indeed, dozens of parishioners asked the court to show mercy. Before McAuliffe’s gambling addiction was made public, some parishioners told reporters he must have had a Robin Hood-type reason to steal. McAuliffe, 59, appeared to them a picture of humility, with his scuffed boots and banged-up Cadillac.
At St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, he oversaw the construction of a K-8 school and a community center, and he promoted collections of socks and underwear for the homeless, court papers said. He has since resigned as the church’s pastor, and the local bishop restricted his authority to perform various priestly duties.
“I speak for myself and many from our very large congregation, that we are sorry for what Fr. Kevin has done," parishioner Karen Kinney said in a letter to the court, "but all the good that he has done for all of us over these many years has outweighed the sin of taking the money from our Church."
But the judge was more heavily swayed by prosecutors, who focused on the length and depth of McAuliffe's deception. He falsified parish financial reports and shuffled money among accounts to cover his theft, court papers said.
McAuliffe never sought treatment for his betting problem, prosecutors said, though he could have through the church or private counselors. He also left his own savings untouched as he burned through the church's money.
“The defendant worked diligently within the church, was bestowed with a position of high honor, responsibility, and trust, and abused those bestowals,” wrote Christina Brown, an assistant U.S. attorney.
For years, Monsignor Kevin McAuliffe lived something of a double life.
He was widely admired by his flock at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, which he helped build into one of the largest Roman Catholic parishes in the Las Vegas area. But at the same time, he was stealing money from the church.
He stole from the gift shop. He stole from the votive candle collection. He stole from a fund for novenas, or Masses in honor of the dead. Over nearly a decade, he pocketed about $650,000.
His motive was all too familiar in slot-machine-heavy Nevada. McAuliffe was a gambling addict.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan sentenced the priest, who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the thefts, to more than three years in prison and ordered him to pay restitution. In doing so, the judge waved off the defense's request to give McAuliffe probation.
McAuliffe’s attorney, Margaret Stanish, asked the court to consider his lifelong devotion to the Catholic Church, which started with helping nuns when he was a schoolboy. McAuliffe has also been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and depression, she said, but in recent months had “excelled” in gambling addiction treatment.
“Some supporters see the potential for something good to come from the realization that their trusted spiritual leader also suffers from human frailty, a frailty that merits forgiveness in accordance with their religious beliefs,” she wrote.
Indeed, dozens of parishioners asked the court to show mercy. Before McAuliffe’s gambling addiction was made public, some parishioners told reporters he must have had a Robin Hood-type reason to steal. McAuliffe, 59, appeared to them a picture of humility, with his scuffed boots and banged-up Cadillac.
At St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, he oversaw the construction of a K-8 school and a community center, and he promoted collections of socks and underwear for the homeless, court papers said. He has since resigned as the church’s pastor, and the local bishop restricted his authority to perform various priestly duties.
“I speak for myself and many from our very large congregation, that we are sorry for what Fr. Kevin has done," parishioner Karen Kinney said in a letter to the court, "but all the good that he has done for all of us over these many years has outweighed the sin of taking the money from our Church."
But the judge was more heavily swayed by prosecutors, who focused on the length and depth of McAuliffe's deception. He falsified parish financial reports and shuffled money among accounts to cover his theft, court papers said.
McAuliffe never sought treatment for his betting problem, prosecutors said, though he could have through the church or private counselors. He also left his own savings untouched as he burned through the church's money.
“The defendant worked diligently within the church, was bestowed with a position of high honor, responsibility, and trust, and abused those bestowals,” wrote Christina Brown, an assistant U.S. attorney.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Shoshoni woman sentenced in district embezzlement in Wyoming
FROM THE STAMFORD ADVOCATE. COM -
A judge has sentenced a 50-year-old woman to five years of supervised probation and ordered her to pay about $32,000 in restitution for taking money from a Fremont County school district.
Dstrict Judge Norman E. Young last week also gave Beth Wintermore, of Shoshoni, a three to five year suspended prison sentence.
Wintermore was an accounts payable clerk at Fremont County School District 24 from 2002 to March 2010.
She was accused of using school credit cards for personal use, including buying airline tickets so she and her daughter could attend a Jonas Brothers concert in New York in 2007.
Wintermore pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a credit card and forgery.
A judge has sentenced a 50-year-old woman to five years of supervised probation and ordered her to pay about $32,000 in restitution for taking money from a Fremont County school district.
Dstrict Judge Norman E. Young last week also gave Beth Wintermore, of Shoshoni, a three to five year suspended prison sentence.
Wintermore was an accounts payable clerk at Fremont County School District 24 from 2002 to March 2010.
She was accused of using school credit cards for personal use, including buying airline tickets so she and her daughter could attend a Jonas Brothers concert in New York in 2007.
Wintermore pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a credit card and forgery.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Leader of Sovereign Grace Ministries Takes Leave of Absence
FROM KIIITV.COM-
The president of Sovereign GraceMinistries is taking a leave of absence to deal with charges made
against him by former ministry leaders and pastors.
In a letter on the denomination's web site, C.J. Mahaney says the charges do not involve "immorality or financial impropriety."
But he says former colleagues have faulted him for "expressions of pride, unentreatability, deceit, sinful judgment, and hypocrisy."Mahaney writes, "I have been grieved by my sin and its effects
on others," and adds that he has confessed to some of those he hurt and has asked for their forgiveness.
Joshua Harris, pastor of Sovereign Grace's founding church in Maryland, told his congregation Sunday that the "entire denomination is being publicly spanked." Harris said he and other Sovereign Grace leaders share responsibility and will ask an outside panel to review the ministry's past and present practices.
The president of Sovereign GraceMinistries is taking a leave of absence to deal with charges made
against him by former ministry leaders and pastors.
In a letter on the denomination's web site, C.J. Mahaney says the charges do not involve "immorality or financial impropriety."
But he says former colleagues have faulted him for "expressions of pride, unentreatability, deceit, sinful judgment, and hypocrisy."Mahaney writes, "I have been grieved by my sin and its effects
on others," and adds that he has confessed to some of those he hurt and has asked for their forgiveness.
Joshua Harris, pastor of Sovereign Grace's founding church in Maryland, told his congregation Sunday that the "entire denomination is being publicly spanked." Harris said he and other Sovereign Grace leaders share responsibility and will ask an outside panel to review the ministry's past and present practices.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
California school district shirks its duty
FROM REDDING.COM-
Just when you thought the Redding School District's reputation for mismanagement couldn't grow any worse, it surprises everyone in town and tops itself.
Last summer, Sycamore Elementary School librarian Wannel Stolz was arrested on felony embezzlement charges alleging theft from the parent-teacher club and the school itself. That would have been a disturbing allegation on its own, but what really piled the logs on the fire was that Stolz's husband, Rein Stolz, was the president of the school board at the time. (He quickly resigned.) Further, there were credible allegations that those who'd tried to blow the whistle on Stolz, including Sycamore's principal, faced retaliation.
What followed was an embarrassing collective denial of responsibility when the district badly needed leadership willing to clean up the mess. And the abdication continues nearly a year later. Last week the board took steps to allow Wannel Stolz — whose trial is scheduled for this summer — to return to work and in the process force the layoff of another school librarian with less seniority.
Cindy Trujillo, the district's human-resources director, wouldn't comment on the case in detail, citing personnel privacy, but did point out that the district cannot fire an employee simply because of a criminal accusation. Even a conviction, at least on this charge, wouldn't be grounds for automatic dismissal.
It is famously difficult for schools to fire employees for cause, but if there were ever case that demanded taking steps toward doing so, this is one. Stolz isn't accused of off-hours misconduct that didn't affect her school, but of directly abusing her position to steal on the job.
Is Stolz presumed innocent? Of course. And it is ultimately a jury's job to weigh whether the charges are proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
But in the meantime, the police found enough evidence to make an arrest. The district attorney found enough evidence to file charges. The judge found enough evidence to hold the case over for trial. There is a substanial body of evidence of wrongdoing. For district administrators to ignore all that is simply a dereliction of their duty to students, parents and taxpayers.
Trujillo last week declined to comment on whether the district had launched its own, independent investigation, but she did say that "the public does not have access to law enforcement's investigative files." That's incorrect. The Shasta County district attorney's office filed charges nearly a year ago, and the police reports and other documents that underlie the criminal charges are public. The district has abundant information on which to base its own decisions — or would if anyone cared to exend the strenuous effort of taking a drive to the courthouse.
The California Education Code states that employees may be dismissed or disciplined for "unprofessional conduct" and "dishonesty," among other job-related wrongdoing. If this case doesn't present strong enough evidence for the district to take action, what would?
The district is subject to strict and complex laws and might not be in a position to fire Stolz. Fine. At the very least, anyone facing felony charges for on-the-job conduct should remain on unpaid leave until the courts render a verdict. (Last summer, Stolz took a voluntary leave of absence, which is ending.)
The Redding School District hired a new superintendent in April to replace Diane Kempley, who is retiring. The refreshed leadership can't come soon enough.
And it's hard not to draw a larger political lesson here. Down in Sacramento, the heart of the feud over the state budget is that Republicans refuse to budge one inch on allowing new taxes or even a vote on them without various reforms. They won't throw more money at a broken government, or so they argue.
Whether the heart of Redding School District's troubles is the system or the people running it, when schools are pink-slipping good employees to make room on the payroll for accused felons, we're dealing with a bureaucracy grown inept to the point of corruption. More money can't fix that.
Just when you thought the Redding School District's reputation for mismanagement couldn't grow any worse, it surprises everyone in town and tops itself.
Last summer, Sycamore Elementary School librarian Wannel Stolz was arrested on felony embezzlement charges alleging theft from the parent-teacher club and the school itself. That would have been a disturbing allegation on its own, but what really piled the logs on the fire was that Stolz's husband, Rein Stolz, was the president of the school board at the time. (He quickly resigned.) Further, there were credible allegations that those who'd tried to blow the whistle on Stolz, including Sycamore's principal, faced retaliation.
What followed was an embarrassing collective denial of responsibility when the district badly needed leadership willing to clean up the mess. And the abdication continues nearly a year later. Last week the board took steps to allow Wannel Stolz — whose trial is scheduled for this summer — to return to work and in the process force the layoff of another school librarian with less seniority.
Cindy Trujillo, the district's human-resources director, wouldn't comment on the case in detail, citing personnel privacy, but did point out that the district cannot fire an employee simply because of a criminal accusation. Even a conviction, at least on this charge, wouldn't be grounds for automatic dismissal.
It is famously difficult for schools to fire employees for cause, but if there were ever case that demanded taking steps toward doing so, this is one. Stolz isn't accused of off-hours misconduct that didn't affect her school, but of directly abusing her position to steal on the job.
Is Stolz presumed innocent? Of course. And it is ultimately a jury's job to weigh whether the charges are proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
But in the meantime, the police found enough evidence to make an arrest. The district attorney found enough evidence to file charges. The judge found enough evidence to hold the case over for trial. There is a substanial body of evidence of wrongdoing. For district administrators to ignore all that is simply a dereliction of their duty to students, parents and taxpayers.
Trujillo last week declined to comment on whether the district had launched its own, independent investigation, but she did say that "the public does not have access to law enforcement's investigative files." That's incorrect. The Shasta County district attorney's office filed charges nearly a year ago, and the police reports and other documents that underlie the criminal charges are public. The district has abundant information on which to base its own decisions — or would if anyone cared to exend the strenuous effort of taking a drive to the courthouse.
The California Education Code states that employees may be dismissed or disciplined for "unprofessional conduct" and "dishonesty," among other job-related wrongdoing. If this case doesn't present strong enough evidence for the district to take action, what would?
The district is subject to strict and complex laws and might not be in a position to fire Stolz. Fine. At the very least, anyone facing felony charges for on-the-job conduct should remain on unpaid leave until the courts render a verdict. (Last summer, Stolz took a voluntary leave of absence, which is ending.)
The Redding School District hired a new superintendent in April to replace Diane Kempley, who is retiring. The refreshed leadership can't come soon enough.
And it's hard not to draw a larger political lesson here. Down in Sacramento, the heart of the feud over the state budget is that Republicans refuse to budge one inch on allowing new taxes or even a vote on them without various reforms. They won't throw more money at a broken government, or so they argue.
Whether the heart of Redding School District's troubles is the system or the people running it, when schools are pink-slipping good employees to make room on the payroll for accused felons, we're dealing with a bureaucracy grown inept to the point of corruption. More money can't fix that.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Curfew for ex-school board official in Canada
FROM THE PROVINCE.COM -
A former Surrey School District associate superintendent who stole thousands of dollars from his employer was given a conditional sentence Monday in B.C. Provincial Court.
Robert Chadwick, 63, pleaded guilty on June 10 to breach of trust by a public officer. Chadwick and his wife Barbara, who was his administrative assistant, were also charged with fraud and theft over $5,000, but those charges were stayed.
According to an agreed-upon statement of facts, between July 2001 and June 2003 Robert Chadwick, who was an associate superintendent for six years, was responsible for the financial management of a contract the school district had with San Diego State University for use of district facilities.
Chadwick put payments totalling $416,000 into an external account he set up. Of that amount, $25,000 went to the school district. Most of the remaining money was used legitimately, but almost $44,000 was not.
The irregularities were discovered after a 2006 internal audit and a hearing was ordered, but Chadwick and his wife resigned before the hearing took place. They were criminally charged in July 2010.
In 2009, the district filed a civil suit against the couple, claiming they transferred more than $167,689.32 of district funds into a separate, unaudited account.
The Chadwicks settled the civil suit out of court in March, agreeing to pay the school board $78,000 to cover the $44,000 they took and costs incurred by the district.
In his decision, Judge James Bahen said an 18-month conditional sentence was appropriate partly because Chadwick has no prior criminal record and is not a danger to the community, nor is he a risk to reoffend.
Chadwick has paid the full amount owed in the civil court decision, pleaded guilty and, according to Bahen, expressed remorse.
Bahen said the offence is "clearly inconsistent with [Chadwick's] previous career and personal achievements."
The conditional sentence includes a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the first four months.
A former Surrey School District associate superintendent who stole thousands of dollars from his employer was given a conditional sentence Monday in B.C. Provincial Court.
Robert Chadwick, 63, pleaded guilty on June 10 to breach of trust by a public officer. Chadwick and his wife Barbara, who was his administrative assistant, were also charged with fraud and theft over $5,000, but those charges were stayed.
According to an agreed-upon statement of facts, between July 2001 and June 2003 Robert Chadwick, who was an associate superintendent for six years, was responsible for the financial management of a contract the school district had with San Diego State University for use of district facilities.
Chadwick put payments totalling $416,000 into an external account he set up. Of that amount, $25,000 went to the school district. Most of the remaining money was used legitimately, but almost $44,000 was not.
The irregularities were discovered after a 2006 internal audit and a hearing was ordered, but Chadwick and his wife resigned before the hearing took place. They were criminally charged in July 2010.
In 2009, the district filed a civil suit against the couple, claiming they transferred more than $167,689.32 of district funds into a separate, unaudited account.
The Chadwicks settled the civil suit out of court in March, agreeing to pay the school board $78,000 to cover the $44,000 they took and costs incurred by the district.
In his decision, Judge James Bahen said an 18-month conditional sentence was appropriate partly because Chadwick has no prior criminal record and is not a danger to the community, nor is he a risk to reoffend.
Chadwick has paid the full amount owed in the civil court decision, pleaded guilty and, according to Bahen, expressed remorse.
Bahen said the offence is "clearly inconsistent with [Chadwick's] previous career and personal achievements."
The conditional sentence includes a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the first four months.
PTAs looking at financial controls
FROM STARNEWSONLINE.COM-
Embezzlement charges directed against two area women active in parent support organizations that strive to better education underscore the financial vulnerability of volunteer groups when safeguards are lacking or neglected, experts said.
Deputies in New Hanover and Brunswick counties drew warrants earlier this month, accusing the women affiliated with the Sunset Park Elementary PTA and the Lincoln Elementary PTO with stealing thousands of dollars from their groups. Though filed within a day of each other, authorities say the cases are unrelated.
The allegations raised questions about the strengthening of financial protections in an era where experts have noted an anecdotal rise in white-collar crimes. Those interviewed in the past week believe the upswing is at least partially attributable to economic hardship.
Authorities charged Dana Leigh Brooks, 38, with 12 counts of embezzlement over accusations she stole more than $5,000 from Lincoln’s PTO between February and June. She came to the attention of authorities after the group received multiple complaints from parents concerning a recent fundraiser where ordered items were never delivered. Sgt. April Stanley, a spokeswoman for the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, said that when the funds were examined, it was discovered the goods were never paid for and there was a discrepancy in the finances.
A day earlier, deputies charged April Ann Powell, who resigned as president of Sunset Park’s PTA in December, with one count of embezzlement after evidence suggested she allegedly used the group’s money to pay off her personal debts during the latter part of 2010. Cpl. Jerry Brewer, a spokesman for the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, said he could not confirm the precise amount involved but did say it was thousands. Contacted last week via phone, Powell, 34, declined to comment on the case.
Since news about the alleged embezzlement schemes emerged earlier this month, questions have swirled over whether financial safeguards are strong enough.
Two officials with the New Hanover County Council of PTAs, which supports the network of local groups, said the system in place is adequately designed to provide financial oversight. The issue, they said, was PTA groups have been allowed to amend their bylaws, and there exists no authority to ensure that policies and procedures are being followed correctly. Part of that is about to change, though.
Council President Denise Szaloky said the Sunset Park episode has prompted other groups to evaluate their policies and strengthen their financial protections. Soon, she said, all the groups in North Carolina are expected to adopt uniform bylaws to increase financial oversight and bolster other controls–a move proposed last year.
“If you follow your bylaws … there are procedures in place that would not allow this to happen,” said Gina Baran, the council’s treasurer. “This is something that should not occur.” In addition to the obvious fiscal impacts, exposure to theft can make it more difficult for donation-reliant nonprofits like parent-teacher associations to raise money.
“It makes your next fundraiser that much more difficult because people question the seriousness of the group in protecting its money,” said Tim Sullivan, founder and president of PTO Today, which helps parents form support organizations at local schools. “It stinks when you’re putting sweat and energy into a good cause and suddenly people are talking negatively about it.”
While PTAs and PTOs differ in their affiliations and organizational structure, both work to better education by providing everything from classroom supplies to playground equipment. Though affiliated with a certain school, the groups function independently and rely on private donations. Nevertheless, with government belt-tightening obliging school districts to pare back their budgets, schools have grown more reliant on parent support groups to sustain traditional education levels.
Crime experts agree that fraud is not unique to PTAs and PTOs. Indeed, news reports from around the country show the prospect of volunteers diverting money for personal gain is nothing new. And though many say the proportion of nonprofits that actually fall victim is miniscule, white-collar crimes have certainly increased in scope and frequency during the economic downturn.
In Bedford, Va., for example, authorities charged three people in 2009 – including the fire chief – with looting more than $150,000 from a volunteer fire company. In another case, a volunteer and two former employees at a catholic church in Danville, Calif. were arrested last year on suspicion of embezzling nearly $600,000 from the religious institution, according to Associated Press reports.
While the problem might be relatively small compared to the number of organizations in existence – one expert noted as many as 1.5 million nonprofits nationwide – some insiders contend that press coverage makes it appear worse and often taints the industry’s reputation.
James Martinez, a spokesman for the National PTA, said the advocacy group does not track the number of times these kinds of allegations arise but does monitor media reports and believes only a “handful” are ever exposed.
“Parents groups in general do great things but unfortunately, this happens, but it doesn’t happen all the time,” he said, speaking on the two recent cases in Southeastern North Carolina. “Corruption, which is what it is, happens on every level of any system around the world.”
Embezzlement charges directed against two area women active in parent support organizations that strive to better education underscore the financial vulnerability of volunteer groups when safeguards are lacking or neglected, experts said.
Deputies in New Hanover and Brunswick counties drew warrants earlier this month, accusing the women affiliated with the Sunset Park Elementary PTA and the Lincoln Elementary PTO with stealing thousands of dollars from their groups. Though filed within a day of each other, authorities say the cases are unrelated.
The allegations raised questions about the strengthening of financial protections in an era where experts have noted an anecdotal rise in white-collar crimes. Those interviewed in the past week believe the upswing is at least partially attributable to economic hardship.
Authorities charged Dana Leigh Brooks, 38, with 12 counts of embezzlement over accusations she stole more than $5,000 from Lincoln’s PTO between February and June. She came to the attention of authorities after the group received multiple complaints from parents concerning a recent fundraiser where ordered items were never delivered. Sgt. April Stanley, a spokeswoman for the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, said that when the funds were examined, it was discovered the goods were never paid for and there was a discrepancy in the finances.
A day earlier, deputies charged April Ann Powell, who resigned as president of Sunset Park’s PTA in December, with one count of embezzlement after evidence suggested she allegedly used the group’s money to pay off her personal debts during the latter part of 2010. Cpl. Jerry Brewer, a spokesman for the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, said he could not confirm the precise amount involved but did say it was thousands. Contacted last week via phone, Powell, 34, declined to comment on the case.
Since news about the alleged embezzlement schemes emerged earlier this month, questions have swirled over whether financial safeguards are strong enough.
Two officials with the New Hanover County Council of PTAs, which supports the network of local groups, said the system in place is adequately designed to provide financial oversight. The issue, they said, was PTA groups have been allowed to amend their bylaws, and there exists no authority to ensure that policies and procedures are being followed correctly. Part of that is about to change, though.
Council President Denise Szaloky said the Sunset Park episode has prompted other groups to evaluate their policies and strengthen their financial protections. Soon, she said, all the groups in North Carolina are expected to adopt uniform bylaws to increase financial oversight and bolster other controls–a move proposed last year.
“If you follow your bylaws … there are procedures in place that would not allow this to happen,” said Gina Baran, the council’s treasurer. “This is something that should not occur.” In addition to the obvious fiscal impacts, exposure to theft can make it more difficult for donation-reliant nonprofits like parent-teacher associations to raise money.
“It makes your next fundraiser that much more difficult because people question the seriousness of the group in protecting its money,” said Tim Sullivan, founder and president of PTO Today, which helps parents form support organizations at local schools. “It stinks when you’re putting sweat and energy into a good cause and suddenly people are talking negatively about it.”
While PTAs and PTOs differ in their affiliations and organizational structure, both work to better education by providing everything from classroom supplies to playground equipment. Though affiliated with a certain school, the groups function independently and rely on private donations. Nevertheless, with government belt-tightening obliging school districts to pare back their budgets, schools have grown more reliant on parent support groups to sustain traditional education levels.
Crime experts agree that fraud is not unique to PTAs and PTOs. Indeed, news reports from around the country show the prospect of volunteers diverting money for personal gain is nothing new. And though many say the proportion of nonprofits that actually fall victim is miniscule, white-collar crimes have certainly increased in scope and frequency during the economic downturn.
In Bedford, Va., for example, authorities charged three people in 2009 – including the fire chief – with looting more than $150,000 from a volunteer fire company. In another case, a volunteer and two former employees at a catholic church in Danville, Calif. were arrested last year on suspicion of embezzling nearly $600,000 from the religious institution, according to Associated Press reports.
While the problem might be relatively small compared to the number of organizations in existence – one expert noted as many as 1.5 million nonprofits nationwide – some insiders contend that press coverage makes it appear worse and often taints the industry’s reputation.
James Martinez, a spokesman for the National PTA, said the advocacy group does not track the number of times these kinds of allegations arise but does monitor media reports and believes only a “handful” are ever exposed.
“Parents groups in general do great things but unfortunately, this happens, but it doesn’t happen all the time,” he said, speaking on the two recent cases in Southeastern North Carolina. “Corruption, which is what it is, happens on every level of any system around the world.”
The Relationship Between Embezzlement Cases And Gambling
FROM WSJM.COM-
A Saint Joseph man was sentenced to one year in jail this week for embezzling thousands of dollars from his church. 46 year old Jon Ruppel was also ordered to pay about 192 thousand dollars in restitution to Saint Peter's United Church of Christ, and serve five years of probation. According to the Herald Palladium, the judge indicated in court that Ruppel's crimes were in part due to a gambling problem and casino visits, which raises a question -- how many of the embezzlement cases we've seen lately are due to the same addiction? Patrick Witri, President of the Michigan Association on Problem Gambling, tells us that just having a casino nearby won't necessarily drive someone into that sort of compulsive behavior, in and of itself:
A Saint Joseph man was sentenced to one year in jail this week for embezzling thousands of dollars from his church. 46 year old Jon Ruppel was also ordered to pay about 192 thousand dollars in restitution to Saint Peter's United Church of Christ, and serve five years of probation. According to the Herald Palladium, the judge indicated in court that Ruppel's crimes were in part due to a gambling problem and casino visits, which raises a question -- how many of the embezzlement cases we've seen lately are due to the same addiction? Patrick Witri, President of the Michigan Association on Problem Gambling, tells us that just having a casino nearby won't necessarily drive someone into that sort of compulsive behavior, in and of itself:
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Alleged Charter School Embezzlement Investigated in Virginia
FROM WRIC.COM
Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts (PHSSA), Richmond's first charter school, is releasing the following statement in regards to recent reports regarding the Richmond Public School (RPS)'s student activity fund used by PHSSA:
The PHSSA Board of Directors has been communicating with RPS administration continuously since February about the student activity fund. At the direction of the Board, PHSSA's independent accountant conducted an internal audit of the student activity fund, which was opened at an RPS bank, uses an RPS tax identification number, and was not under the control of the PHSSA Board or its Treasurer. Working collaboratively with PHSSA administration and staff, the accountant gathered all of the information available at the time and issued a report to the Board in late April.
In response to the findings of that audit and in keeping with its role as the governing body of PHSSA, the Board voted unanimously on May 3rd "to implement financial procedural controls for the student activity fund." These financial procedural controls were recommended by PHSSA's independent accountant and include: Procedures for teachers, staff and administration on collecting and recording lunch money; controls over meals served; and invoice reconciliation. These controls were put in place in addition to procedures and controls already in place that are outlined in the 129-page student activity fund procedures manual provided to the PHSSA administration by RPS when the account was originally opened.
The Board communicated the above findings and information to all involved parties, including the PHSSA and RPS administrations immediately after the PHSSA Board took action. Additionally, emails and phone calls were made to follow up on outstanding questions and requests were made to receive any audits or findings conducted by RPS. The Board continues to work with RPS to keep the lines of communication open and ensure that all accounts are managed in a financially responsible manner that is in the best interest of the school.
The Board has been notified of a state investigation regarding the student activities account. Although the Board did not initiative this investigation, it will cooperate fully with the authorities to show that it has been working proactively to collect and disseminate all information about this account to the appropriate parties.
PHSSA understands that fiduciary responsibility is an important responsibility for this school, which was founded not only on an innovative curriculum, but also on the basis of transparency and financial efficiency. In keeping with this responsibility, last year, PHSSA Board requested an independent audit of the PHSSA Board managed bank account. In March 2011, PHSSA released the finding of an independent audit conducted by the independent accounting firm of Goodman & Company. Their audit report stated:
"In our opinion, the financial statements [of PHSSA] present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts as of June 30, 2010, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America." According to the accompanying management letter, Goodman & Company did not "identify any deficiencies in internal control that we consider to be material weaknesses."
PHSSA will continue to work collaboratively with RPS Board and administration to ensure that as much information, as allowable by privacy laws, is conveyed to the Patrick Henry stakeholders, including parents, teachers, staff and volunteers. We thank everyone for their continuous support in helping bring educational opportunities to the city of Richmond and Commonwealth of Virginia.
Virginia State Police are investigating allegations of embezzlement involving Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts in Richmond.
The investigation stems from questions about the management of the charter school's student activity funds, controlled by the principal and Richmond Public Schools.
Richmond Schools spokesperson Felicia Cosby said an audit on the fund is already scheduled for August. Cosby said the school system did not know about the police investigation, but said the school board had previously raised concerns over Patrick Henry's financial stability.
No charges have been filed. The case remains under investigation.
Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts (PHSSA), Richmond's first charter school, is releasing the following statement in regards to recent reports regarding the Richmond Public School (RPS)'s student activity fund used by PHSSA:
The PHSSA Board of Directors has been communicating with RPS administration continuously since February about the student activity fund. At the direction of the Board, PHSSA's independent accountant conducted an internal audit of the student activity fund, which was opened at an RPS bank, uses an RPS tax identification number, and was not under the control of the PHSSA Board or its Treasurer. Working collaboratively with PHSSA administration and staff, the accountant gathered all of the information available at the time and issued a report to the Board in late April.
In response to the findings of that audit and in keeping with its role as the governing body of PHSSA, the Board voted unanimously on May 3rd "to implement financial procedural controls for the student activity fund." These financial procedural controls were recommended by PHSSA's independent accountant and include: Procedures for teachers, staff and administration on collecting and recording lunch money; controls over meals served; and invoice reconciliation. These controls were put in place in addition to procedures and controls already in place that are outlined in the 129-page student activity fund procedures manual provided to the PHSSA administration by RPS when the account was originally opened.
The Board communicated the above findings and information to all involved parties, including the PHSSA and RPS administrations immediately after the PHSSA Board took action. Additionally, emails and phone calls were made to follow up on outstanding questions and requests were made to receive any audits or findings conducted by RPS. The Board continues to work with RPS to keep the lines of communication open and ensure that all accounts are managed in a financially responsible manner that is in the best interest of the school.
The Board has been notified of a state investigation regarding the student activities account. Although the Board did not initiative this investigation, it will cooperate fully with the authorities to show that it has been working proactively to collect and disseminate all information about this account to the appropriate parties.
PHSSA understands that fiduciary responsibility is an important responsibility for this school, which was founded not only on an innovative curriculum, but also on the basis of transparency and financial efficiency. In keeping with this responsibility, last year, PHSSA Board requested an independent audit of the PHSSA Board managed bank account. In March 2011, PHSSA released the finding of an independent audit conducted by the independent accounting firm of Goodman & Company. Their audit report stated:
"In our opinion, the financial statements [of PHSSA] present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts as of June 30, 2010, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America." According to the accompanying management letter, Goodman & Company did not "identify any deficiencies in internal control that we consider to be material weaknesses."
PHSSA will continue to work collaboratively with RPS Board and administration to ensure that as much information, as allowable by privacy laws, is conveyed to the Patrick Henry stakeholders, including parents, teachers, staff and volunteers. We thank everyone for their continuous support in helping bring educational opportunities to the city of Richmond and Commonwealth of Virginia.
Virginia State Police are investigating allegations of embezzlement involving Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts in Richmond.
The investigation stems from questions about the management of the charter school's student activity funds, controlled by the principal and Richmond Public Schools.
Richmond Schools spokesperson Felicia Cosby said an audit on the fund is already scheduled for August. Cosby said the school system did not know about the police investigation, but said the school board had previously raised concerns over Patrick Henry's financial stability.
No charges have been filed. The case remains under investigation.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Teacher charged with embezzlement in West Virginia
FROM NEWSANDSENTINEL.COM
A Wirt County teacher and coach has been charged with embezzlement.
Last month, West Virginia State Police arrested Christine Wilson of Washington for embezzlement. Wilson, who served as treasurer of a band boosters club, is alleged to have taken almost $9,000.
The 39-year-old was arrested May 6 by the Wirt County detachment of the West Virginia State Police. Sgt. C.E. Boring is the investigating officer.
According to the criminal complaint, Wilson took over duties as treasurer for the Wirt County Band Boosters in July and held the post until February. Boring states he received information from the Wirt County Board of Education regarding discrepancies in the boosters' account.
"The band booster accounts were audited by Wirt County Board of Education Treasurer Karen S. Cummings," the complaint states. "Ms. Cummings provided (Boring) with a report which advised there was a potential loss of $8,890 from the band booster account."
In the complaint, Boring stated he met with Wilson who admitted to taking $3,600 from the money collected by the Wirt County Band Boosters.
Wilson was charged with embezzlement and released on $2,500 surety bond. Her preliminary hearing is set for June 13 before Wirt County Magistrate C. David Roberts. Wilson's attorney is William Summers.
If convicted, Wilson faces a minimum of 10 years in prison.
Wilson, a teacher at the Wirt County Primary Center, also serves as the high school softball coach.
Wirt County Superintendent of Schools Dan Metz declined to comment on the arrest, citing personnel issues. Metz did say the teacher has been suspended pending the outcome of investigation.
A Wirt County teacher and coach has been charged with embezzlement.
Last month, West Virginia State Police arrested Christine Wilson of Washington for embezzlement. Wilson, who served as treasurer of a band boosters club, is alleged to have taken almost $9,000.
The 39-year-old was arrested May 6 by the Wirt County detachment of the West Virginia State Police. Sgt. C.E. Boring is the investigating officer.
According to the criminal complaint, Wilson took over duties as treasurer for the Wirt County Band Boosters in July and held the post until February. Boring states he received information from the Wirt County Board of Education regarding discrepancies in the boosters' account.
"The band booster accounts were audited by Wirt County Board of Education Treasurer Karen S. Cummings," the complaint states. "Ms. Cummings provided (Boring) with a report which advised there was a potential loss of $8,890 from the band booster account."
In the complaint, Boring stated he met with Wilson who admitted to taking $3,600 from the money collected by the Wirt County Band Boosters.
Wilson was charged with embezzlement and released on $2,500 surety bond. Her preliminary hearing is set for June 13 before Wirt County Magistrate C. David Roberts. Wilson's attorney is William Summers.
If convicted, Wilson faces a minimum of 10 years in prison.
Wilson, a teacher at the Wirt County Primary Center, also serves as the high school softball coach.
Wirt County Superintendent of Schools Dan Metz declined to comment on the arrest, citing personnel issues. Metz did say the teacher has been suspended pending the outcome of investigation.
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