former business manager for RPI’s School of Architecture has been indicted on embezzlement charges from 2010.
Christine Dickson is accused of taking an RPI credit card, and using it to buy more than $300,000 in goods, services, and cash for personal use.
Both parties were hoping to resolve the case without an indictment, but were unable to come to an agreement.
Dickson should be arraigned, early next week.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Embezzlement charges have been filed against former Pawhuska High School football coach in Oklahoma
Embezzlement charges have been filed against former Pawhuska High School football coach Scotty Ray Gilkey, who was suspended last November during his first season as head coach of the Huskies.
Gilkey, 38, was named in one felony charge of embezzlement and also a seven-count misdemeanor charge. A misdemeanor assault and battery charge also was filed against the coach for a related matter. All three charges were filed last Wednesday in Osage County District Court.
For his initial arraignment Thursday, Gilkey appeared by video before Osage County Special Judge Stuart Tate. Gilkey, who was represented by Tulsa attorney Richard O’Carroll, entered not guilty pleas to all of the charges.
Gilkey posted a bond of $2,500 on the felony embezzlement charge and $1,500 for the misdemeanor charge. No bond was required in the assault and battery case. Jennifer Lynn Gilkey, the coach’s wife, also was named in the multi-part misdemeanor charge. Bond for her was set at $1,500 following entry of a not-guilty plea.
Preliminary hearings were scheduled by Tate on July 26 at 9 a.m.
A PHS graduate, Gilkey was named last May to fill the vacant head coaching position of the Huskies. Approximately a month after being hired, he conducted a Huskie Football Skills Camp at the school. At least part of the criminal allegations reportedly stem from the handling of funds in connection with the camp.
Gilkey was suspended as coach in early November, just a few days before the Huskies were to play a Class 2A state playoff game. The suspension was announced by the local school Superintendent, Dr. Landon Berry, who also was in his first year at Pawhuska.
The Huskies, after losing five of their first six season games, dropped the playoff matchup at Commerce and concluded the 2012 campaign with a 4-7 mark. In the course of the season, two longtime PHS assistant coaches had stepped down and Pawhuska finished its year with a three-coach staff.
Pawhuska school officials later asked the Osage County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an investigation involving school funding issues. The investigation was completed early this year.
After graduating at PHS in 1993, Gilkey played football for two seasons at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. After serving four years in the US Marine Corps., Gilkey returned as a player at Eastern Illinois University, where he was a teammate of current Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo.
Gilkey previously coached at the high school level in Illinois and at Bartlesville, Union and Tulsa Washington.
Gilkey, 38, was named in one felony charge of embezzlement and also a seven-count misdemeanor charge. A misdemeanor assault and battery charge also was filed against the coach for a related matter. All three charges were filed last Wednesday in Osage County District Court.
For his initial arraignment Thursday, Gilkey appeared by video before Osage County Special Judge Stuart Tate. Gilkey, who was represented by Tulsa attorney Richard O’Carroll, entered not guilty pleas to all of the charges.
Gilkey posted a bond of $2,500 on the felony embezzlement charge and $1,500 for the misdemeanor charge. No bond was required in the assault and battery case. Jennifer Lynn Gilkey, the coach’s wife, also was named in the multi-part misdemeanor charge. Bond for her was set at $1,500 following entry of a not-guilty plea.
Preliminary hearings were scheduled by Tate on July 26 at 9 a.m.
A PHS graduate, Gilkey was named last May to fill the vacant head coaching position of the Huskies. Approximately a month after being hired, he conducted a Huskie Football Skills Camp at the school. At least part of the criminal allegations reportedly stem from the handling of funds in connection with the camp.
Gilkey was suspended as coach in early November, just a few days before the Huskies were to play a Class 2A state playoff game. The suspension was announced by the local school Superintendent, Dr. Landon Berry, who also was in his first year at Pawhuska.
The Huskies, after losing five of their first six season games, dropped the playoff matchup at Commerce and concluded the 2012 campaign with a 4-7 mark. In the course of the season, two longtime PHS assistant coaches had stepped down and Pawhuska finished its year with a three-coach staff.
Pawhuska school officials later asked the Osage County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an investigation involving school funding issues. The investigation was completed early this year.
After graduating at PHS in 1993, Gilkey played football for two seasons at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. After serving four years in the US Marine Corps., Gilkey returned as a player at Eastern Illinois University, where he was a teammate of current Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo.
Gilkey previously coached at the high school level in Illinois and at Bartlesville, Union and Tulsa Washington.
School administrator sentenced for stealing over $200 thousand in New York
A bookkeeper at an Albany charter school will spend at least the next five years behind bars for embezzlement after having been sentenced Tuesday.
Ronald Racela, 49, received a sentence of 5 to 10 years behind bars for stealing over $200,000 from the Brighter Choice Charter School where he worked as chief financial officer.
Racela’s sentencing came after he pleaded guilty in March to one count of grand larceny.
“The state prison sentence handed down by the Court reflects the selfishness of the defendant’s actions,” said Albany District Attorney David Soares. “Mr. Racela will have a long time to think about the victims he hurt through his greed.”
Soares also expressed gratitude for Albany Police Detective Bob Wise for what he called a tremendous effort in uncovering and investigating Racela’s crimes.
Between September 2011 and December 2012, Wise’s investigation revealed that Racela made a series of improper payroll entries to himself for a total of $208,837.45.
The inquiry also revealed that Racela had been on felony probation for a separate financial crime at the time he committed the fraud. Officials at Brighter Choice were unaware of his criminal background when he was hired as CFO.
Racela must also pay $174,400.08 in restitution.
Ronald Racela, 49, received a sentence of 5 to 10 years behind bars for stealing over $200,000 from the Brighter Choice Charter School where he worked as chief financial officer.
Racela’s sentencing came after he pleaded guilty in March to one count of grand larceny.
“The state prison sentence handed down by the Court reflects the selfishness of the defendant’s actions,” said Albany District Attorney David Soares. “Mr. Racela will have a long time to think about the victims he hurt through his greed.”
Soares also expressed gratitude for Albany Police Detective Bob Wise for what he called a tremendous effort in uncovering and investigating Racela’s crimes.
Between September 2011 and December 2012, Wise’s investigation revealed that Racela made a series of improper payroll entries to himself for a total of $208,837.45.
The inquiry also revealed that Racela had been on felony probation for a separate financial crime at the time he committed the fraud. Officials at Brighter Choice were unaware of his criminal background when he was hired as CFO.
Racela must also pay $174,400.08 in restitution.
Possible embezzlement at Grand Haven PTA in Michigan
The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety is investigating the possible embezzlement of funds from a school Parent Teacher Association.
Authorities say members of the Ferry Elementary school PTA reported potential irregularities with its bank account.
The amount of money missing is not known but police say there is a suspect in the case.
No arrests have been made.
The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety is investigating a possible embezzlement of money from the Ferry Elementary School Parent Teachers Association.
Police have a suspect in the case, but no arrests had been made as of Tuesday. Police will not release the suspect’s name unless that person is arrested and charged with a crime.
According to Public Safety Director Jeff Hawke, representatives of the school’s PTA reported apparent irregularities with the group’s bank account. It appears that money is missing or unaccounted for, Hawke said.
Detectives are working to gather information on financial transactions to detemine how much is missing.
Authorities say members of the Ferry Elementary school PTA reported potential irregularities with its bank account.
The amount of money missing is not known but police say there is a suspect in the case.
No arrests have been made.
The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety is investigating a possible embezzlement of money from the Ferry Elementary School Parent Teachers Association.
Police have a suspect in the case, but no arrests had been made as of Tuesday. Police will not release the suspect’s name unless that person is arrested and charged with a crime.
According to Public Safety Director Jeff Hawke, representatives of the school’s PTA reported apparent irregularities with the group’s bank account. It appears that money is missing or unaccounted for, Hawke said.
Detectives are working to gather information on financial transactions to detemine how much is missing.
Nonprofits can take steps to prevent fraud, theft and embezzlement
FROM http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/ -
When nonprofit groups discover a thief in their midst, it can be tempting to try to keep it secret, handling it in-house to avoid publicity and negative blow back.
But the reality is that word usually gets out, with the truth often getting twisted into something even uglier.
The Bethlehem Steelers Athletic Association -- which serves about 250 children who play football and cheer -- deserves credit for going public with its internal theft problem and pursuing criminal charges against the alleged perpetrator.
Bradley H. Scheetz, its former president, stands accused of stealing more than $34,000 from the youth sports organization between October 2011 and April 2012.
Recently, the group shared with The Express-Times and lehighvalleylive.com the changes that have been made to prevent future problems and to rebuild public trust. Dave Crim, the new president, said the group will continue making changes to continue improving.
So far, the Steelers group has revamped its board to include 14 voting members and has developed new bylaws and a new organizational structure. Two people -- the president and treasurer -- now have keys to the group’s post office box and the Steelers now have a land address. In the past, only the president had a key to the post office box.
Other changes include: A ledger and accounting software to help track money; daily bank deposits with photos taken of the drop bag and deposit information; a snack bar cash register that aligns with the accounting software and money counted independently by two different people.
The experts say theft, fraud and embezzlement can happen to any nonprofit group -- large or small.
Betsy Landers, president of the National Parent Teacher Association, says theft, fraud and embezzlement don’t happen often within PTAs, but every theft is troublesome.
Theft, fraud and embezzlement costs U.S. groups more than $400 billion a year and the average organization loses about 6 percent of its total revenue to these crimes. The perpetrator is often someone that others within the organization know, like and trust.
That’s why it’s important to have checks and balances in place -- to protect the organization, its members and the people it serves.
Good internal controls not only help organizations detect these problems early but also could prevent desperate people from acting on impulses to steal from or defraud an organization.
Laura Bay, the secretary-treasurer of the National PTA, says theft and fraud occur when someone has 1) opportunity 2) motivation and 3) rationalization.
Other tips for creating good internal controls are: Open and review bank statements; reconcile bank accounts monthly; verify wire transfers; avoid using debit cards, check cards or credit cards; verify cash received and cash deposited; never take money home; review accounts payable vendor lists with an eye toward suspicious names and addresses; protect checks, including storing them safely and never pre-signing them and prepare budgets.
Board members have a financial responsibility for the organization and shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions when things don’t add up and to continue asking questions until they fully understand financial processes and feel safe with them.
Bay says it’s important for members to report anything suspicious, such as when the profit made in a fundraiser doesn’t seem to add up. Members should never confront anyone directly but should report their suspicions to board members, according to Bay. Board members should then investigate, including calling for an audit or financial review, Bay says.
When an organization is sure money is missing, Bay says, it’s important to contact the police and the group’s insurance company.
Nonprofit groups such as local PTAs and booster groups are invaluable and serve our communities in many ways. It’s important for them to try to protect themselves from theft and other financial abuses and to report problems when they occur.
When they do, they can effectively and efficiently serve their communities and retain the public’s trust
Ex-University Medical Center in Texas administrator Greg Bruce facing federal mail fraud charge
A former University Medical Center administrator who resigned 18 months ago amid an FBI investigation is facing a federal mail fraud charge, according to a document filed in U.S. District Court.
Federal prosecutors filed a one-count information on Monday, June 3, alleging that Robert Gregory “Greg” Bruce stole more than $9,700 from the hospital in 2011.
Bruce said he will appear in U.S. District Court Thursday to enter a guilty plea.
Prosecutors filed an information directly with the court as an alternative to taking a matter to the grand jury.
In a statement released Monday afternoon, UMC officials said results of the internal audit that resulted in Bruce’s December 2011 resignation indicated he might have been embezzling from the hospital over a period of several years.
“UMC identified approximately $735,000 that Mr. Bruce is believed to have embezzled,” the hospital’s written statement said.
Bruce issued a statement late Monday afternoon saying that he came forward and admitted to stealing money.
“Shortly before Christmas 2011, I informed my employers at UMC I had made serious mistakes and took funds which were not mine,” he said. “I resigned and voluntarily notified the US Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation about these actions.”
Bruce said he is continuing to cooperate with the Justice Department and FBI in their investigation.
“While I have disappointed many, I hope through full cooperation and candor with the Justice Department and others, I can begin repairing the damage I have caused,” he said.
According to the prosecutors’ information, Bruce created and submitted an $9,701.45 invoice on Jan. 3, 2011, from a fictitious company, B.R, Media Monitoring, to be paid by the hospital. UMC prepared the check and sent it to a post office box Bruce controlled on Jan. 12.
The loss was discovered in a internal audit in December 2011. David Allison, UMC’s president and chief executive officer, asked for Bruce’s resignation.
He was the hospital’s vice president for corporate services when he resigned.
The hospital’s leadership eliminated the position after Bruce resigned and divided the responsibilities among several directors and administrators, the statement said.
The statement also noted the hospital has increased its oversight of contract, vendor relations and credit card use.
Bruce joined UMC as a health unit coordinator in 1992 and was promoted several times before becoming vice president of corporate services in 2005.
According to A-J Media archives, Bruce served as 2005 board chairman of the local American Red Cross and was honored for his work with the organization when he was named 2005 Volunteer of the Year by the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.
He also was sourced as chairman of ListenLubbock, a political action committee, in a 2007 A-J Media article, and as president of the Heart of Lubbock Neighborhood Association in a 2008 article.
Federal prosecutors filed a one-count information on Monday, June 3, alleging that Robert Gregory “Greg” Bruce stole more than $9,700 from the hospital in 2011.
Bruce said he will appear in U.S. District Court Thursday to enter a guilty plea.
Prosecutors filed an information directly with the court as an alternative to taking a matter to the grand jury.
In a statement released Monday afternoon, UMC officials said results of the internal audit that resulted in Bruce’s December 2011 resignation indicated he might have been embezzling from the hospital over a period of several years.
“UMC identified approximately $735,000 that Mr. Bruce is believed to have embezzled,” the hospital’s written statement said.
Bruce issued a statement late Monday afternoon saying that he came forward and admitted to stealing money.
“Shortly before Christmas 2011, I informed my employers at UMC I had made serious mistakes and took funds which were not mine,” he said. “I resigned and voluntarily notified the US Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation about these actions.”
Bruce said he is continuing to cooperate with the Justice Department and FBI in their investigation.
“While I have disappointed many, I hope through full cooperation and candor with the Justice Department and others, I can begin repairing the damage I have caused,” he said.
According to the prosecutors’ information, Bruce created and submitted an $9,701.45 invoice on Jan. 3, 2011, from a fictitious company, B.R, Media Monitoring, to be paid by the hospital. UMC prepared the check and sent it to a post office box Bruce controlled on Jan. 12.
The loss was discovered in a internal audit in December 2011. David Allison, UMC’s president and chief executive officer, asked for Bruce’s resignation.
He was the hospital’s vice president for corporate services when he resigned.
The hospital’s leadership eliminated the position after Bruce resigned and divided the responsibilities among several directors and administrators, the statement said.
The statement also noted the hospital has increased its oversight of contract, vendor relations and credit card use.
Bruce joined UMC as a health unit coordinator in 1992 and was promoted several times before becoming vice president of corporate services in 2005.
According to A-J Media archives, Bruce served as 2005 board chairman of the local American Red Cross and was honored for his work with the organization when he was named 2005 Volunteer of the Year by the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.
He also was sourced as chairman of ListenLubbock, a political action committee, in a 2007 A-J Media article, and as president of the Heart of Lubbock Neighborhood Association in a 2008 article.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Former Shorewood, Wisconsin School Secretary Stole $310 Thousand In Special Ed Funds, Feds Say
FROM http://shorewood.patch.com/
A former Shorewood School District secretary has been charged with embezzling more than $300,000 in federal special education funds to buy TVs, household items and vacations for her family.
Donna Sternke was charged this week in federal court with issuing unauthorized checks totaling $310,263 over 13 years — from January 1998 to June 2011. In June 2011, the district discovered the unexplained purchase of gift cards for Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, and she was allowed to resign from her position, according to documents filed in federal court.
In October 2012, she admitted to federal investigators to stealing the money. And this week she reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.
If convicted, Sternke could face a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. Under the plea agreement, Sternke will pay $310,263 in restitution to the school district.
According to court documents:
Sternke worked in the district's Instructional Services and Special Education Department, handling purchasing for the department, making use of federal Individual with Disabilities Education Act grants in the sum of $632,362.
Special education teachers would provide Sternke with purchase orders, which she would enter into the district's computer system for review and approval. Through that computer system, Sternke would enter bogus invoices for items she purchased for personal use, according to the documents.
In one case, she used the district's computer system to create a bogus $1,564.49 purchase order for American TV. She falsely wrote in the invoice, the purchase was for a HP laptop, when Sternke actually purchased a 50-inch TV console and 37-inch Sony TV for herself.
After preparing and submitting a bogus invoice, Sternke would pick up a check from the business office — not a normal payment process — and typically mailed the check to the vendor, but would occasionally use the check to make purchases at various stores including Menards, Pennys, Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Kohl's.
The document also says Sternke used the funds to buy vacations, and purchase personal items for her family, often through gift cards.
Additionally, Sternke admitted to agents that she prepared false purchase orders in fall 2010 for products totaling $8,000. When the district issued checks, she used them to make payments on her personal credit cards.
Shorewood School District Business Manager Mark Boehlke was not available for comment Friday, however, he did tell the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Sternke was hired by the district in 1979 and is not currently receiving any retirement benefits from the district.
Boehlke couldn't explain how no red flags were raised over the 13 years Sternke was allegedly embezzling funds.
A former Shorewood School District secretary has been charged with embezzling more than $300,000 in federal special education funds to buy TVs, household items and vacations for her family.
Donna Sternke was charged this week in federal court with issuing unauthorized checks totaling $310,263 over 13 years — from January 1998 to June 2011. In June 2011, the district discovered the unexplained purchase of gift cards for Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, and she was allowed to resign from her position, according to documents filed in federal court.
In October 2012, she admitted to federal investigators to stealing the money. And this week she reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.
If convicted, Sternke could face a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. Under the plea agreement, Sternke will pay $310,263 in restitution to the school district.
According to court documents:
Sternke worked in the district's Instructional Services and Special Education Department, handling purchasing for the department, making use of federal Individual with Disabilities Education Act grants in the sum of $632,362.
Special education teachers would provide Sternke with purchase orders, which she would enter into the district's computer system for review and approval. Through that computer system, Sternke would enter bogus invoices for items she purchased for personal use, according to the documents.
In one case, she used the district's computer system to create a bogus $1,564.49 purchase order for American TV. She falsely wrote in the invoice, the purchase was for a HP laptop, when Sternke actually purchased a 50-inch TV console and 37-inch Sony TV for herself.
After preparing and submitting a bogus invoice, Sternke would pick up a check from the business office — not a normal payment process — and typically mailed the check to the vendor, but would occasionally use the check to make purchases at various stores including Menards, Pennys, Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Kohl's.
The document also says Sternke used the funds to buy vacations, and purchase personal items for her family, often through gift cards.
Additionally, Sternke admitted to agents that she prepared false purchase orders in fall 2010 for products totaling $8,000. When the district issued checks, she used them to make payments on her personal credit cards.
Shorewood School District Business Manager Mark Boehlke was not available for comment Friday, however, he did tell the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Sternke was hired by the district in 1979 and is not currently receiving any retirement benefits from the district.
Boehlke couldn't explain how no red flags were raised over the 13 years Sternke was allegedly embezzling funds.
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