Brookfield Embezzlement Plea Hearing Continued, to March

The plea hearing for a woman charged with embezzling from a Brookfield parent-teacher organization was continued from Thursday to March 27 at Danbury Superior Court.

Monica Bevilacqua, 39, of Brookfield, was arrested in December after police said she took money from the Center Elementary School PTO's accounts over two years.

Monica Bevilacqua, 39, of Brookfield, was arrested in December and charged with embezzling $12,700 from a Brookfield parent-teacher organization (PTO) over two years when she served as treasurer. She has been accused of taking money from the organization's accounts via more than 180 personal orders charged to the organization's credit card and a series of checks.

The PTO is a private organization that doesn't receive any public funding from the town of Brookfield or its schools.

Court records also indicate that Bevilacqua was asked to pay $100,000 in December to settle a civil case with a pedestrian she struck and injured in 2016. The previous month, a judge ordered her to pay almost $17,000 she owed to Citibank for her Mastercard bills.

Aurora mom accused of stealing $21,000+ from parent-teacher group affiliated with child's school

 An Aurora mom has been charged with stealing more than $21,000 from the Parent-Teacher Community Organization at Village East Elementary School.

Police began investigating Ashley Ann Green after the school's principal, John Cramer, told them about suspected fraudulent activity involving the PTCO's FirstBank account.

Green became treasurer of that organization in 2016.

The arrest affidavit alleges that Green, 26, who lives about a block away from the school, made multiple ATM withdrawals, wrote checks out to herself, and failed to pay bills related to the group's fund-raising activities.

Las Vegas trip

The affidavit alleges that some of that ill-gotten money was spent in Las Vegas.

A bank statement included as evidence shows Green made two FirstBank debit card purchases at Lobster Me Grand Canal, a lobster roll eatery inside the Venetian Hotel, wrote out a PTCO "counter check" to herself for $1,100 and withdrew $300 from an ATM on Las Vegas Boulevard South.

Denver7 tried to contact Green to ask if she gambled the PTCO's money away. Her husband answered the door and said, "she's not here." We left a business card requesting a return phone call but have yet to hear back.

Oversight questions

Denver7 also reached out to the Parents' Council, a committee that oversees all PTCOs in Colorado.

We wanted to ask about the impact of the alleged theft on students, and why it took so long to catch the fraud.

Council President, Kristine Ritter, said she was not going to comment about anything and said, "no one from the council would comment."

Residents whose children or grandchildren attend the school were not happy to learn about the alleged embezzlement.

"If that's going to impact my grandchild's education, then I'm very upset about it," one woman said. "You know, I thought it was a good school and things were going good. She's getting a good education, but if that kind of stuff is happening, then that's very unsettling."

School district response

Abbe Smith, the executive director of communications for Cherry Creek Schools, called the alleged embezzlement, "very unfortunate."

When asked what the PTCO's funds would normally be used for, Smith replied, "The money can be used for things like purchasing technology. That could be computers or cameras. It can be used for all kinds of things -- reading programs, field trips, gym equipment or teacher appreciation."

Green has been charged with theft. Her next court appearance date has not yet been set.

Jefferson County case

A similar case is being prosecuted in Jefferson County , where the previous treasurer of the Jefferson Academy Elementary PTO, Jessica Tafoya, allegedly stole more than $58,000.

She was the only authorized user of the PTO bank account from the time she was appointed as treasurer, in October of 2015, until September of 2017.

When a second individual was given authority to use the account, Tafoya sent an email to the PTO president saying she felt like "dog shit" and owed the PTO money.

She allegedly used the PTO's funds at gas stations, fast food stops, Kohl's, Target, Walgreens, Best Buy, Estes Park, Komotodo Sushi Bar and Gateaux Bakery.

Tafoya has been charged with theft of between $20,000 and $100,000.

Her next court date has not yet been set.

PTO president faces embezzlement charges

The Grace Miller Elementary School PTO president stole approximately $8,000 from the organization over eight months, according to the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s investigators Tuesday charged Kiley Morgan Gonzalez, 29, of Bealeton, with 10 counts of embezzlement and five counts of forgery and uttering, according to Sgt. James Hartman.

Another PTO officer filed a complaint that Ms. Gonzalez “had forged checks and made transfers involving the PTO account and a personal bank account,” Sgt. Hartman said. 

On Monday, Detective Candyce Shaw obtained warrants charging Ms. Gonzalez. The next day, the suspect, accompanied by her attorney, “turned herself in,” the sergeant said. She “was taken before a magistrate and released on her own recognizance.”

The crimes allegedly took place between October and this month

Former Lexington School PTO Officers Charged with Embezzlement

Two Davidson County women were charged with embezzling money from a local Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization.

Shannon Justice and Crystal Rummage are believed to have taken money from the Churchland Elementary School's PTO according to the Davidson County Sheriff's Office. Justice, of Linwood, was the former PTO President and Rummage, of Lexington, was the former Vice President. Money was reported missing from the organization on Oct. 5 to the DCSO.

The amount of money they embezzled isn't known. Justice, 36, and Rummage, 43, carry a Jan. 26 court date.


This is at least the third reported case of embezzlement within Davidson County Schools' PTOs in recent months. Last month, A Lexington woman was charged for embezzling money from Davis-Townsend Elementary School PTO. The former PTO Treasurer for Welcome Elementary School was charged after he was accused of embezzling more than $10,000 in November.

Ex-Davidson County school PTO treasurer charged with embezzlement

The former treasurer of an elementary school PTO is charged with embezzlement.

Lynn Marie Johnson, 37, of 232 Prospectors Way, was charged Thursday with one count of embezzlement.

Johnson was the treasurer of the Davis-Townsend Elementary PTO during the 2015-16 school year, the Davidson County Sheriff's Office said. She is accused of using the PTO debit card to make personal purchases over just more than $1,000.

The sheriff's office began investigating Oct. 5, after the school PTO's newly-elected treasurer discovered several inappropriate charges that occurred the previous school year and reported them, the agency said.

Johnson was charged and released with bail set at $5,000.

Man accused of embezzling thousands from school PTO account

A man has been arrested on suspicion of embezzling more than $10,000 from an elementary school's PTO account.

Terry Lawrence Cranfill, 47, of Lexington, was charged with one count of embezzlement in an incident involving Welcome Elementary School.

Davidson County deputies allege Cranfill embezzled the money during his tenure as PTO treasurer from 2012-2016. A new PTO president, who was installed in August, conducted an audit and found multiple suspicious transactions, deputies said.

Deputies said they received a report of possible embezzlement on August 18.

Cranfill was held under a $5,000 secured bond in the Davidson County Jail pending a Jan. 9 court appearance.

Former PTA treasurer charged with embezzlement

A former parent volunteer at Paul Munro Elementary School has been arrested and charged with six counts of embezzlement.

Jennifer Marie Musick, 40, turned herself in to the Lynchburg Police Department on Thursday. The charges relate to the theft of more than $31,000 from the Paul Munro Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Association. She served as treasurer of the PTA during the 2014-15 school year.

She no longer is PTA treasurer nor is she a member of the PTA at Paul Munro, according to another PTA board member.

According to the Blue Ridge Regional Jail online records, Musick is accused of embezzling from the PTA fund in August 2012, twice in 2013 and once more in 2014.

“PTA and PTO funds are not controlled or maintained by any Lynchburg City Schools personnel. These funds are managed solely by volunteers of the schools. Additionally, LCS does not have authority over PTA or PTO leadership,” Lynchburg City Schools spokeswoman Cindy Babb said in a news release Thursday.

Current Paul Munro Elementary School PTA President Christie Hooper said the PTA became aware of possible financial issues in the fall of 2015, when Virginia PTA contacted the school about unpaid membership dues. According to Hooper, Virginia PTA said it had not received dues for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years.

“That’s what alarmed us,” Hooper said.

It led members to look more closely at the PTA's two bank accounts. One account funds some classroom expenses for teachers and things like student field trips, plays and reading incentives. A second account, created to maintain funds for a new playground for the school’s 50th anniversary holds special project funds.

Hooper said the PTA obtained access to the accounts in the fall and someone had “basically dried our bank accounts clean.”

Hooper said although the money has not been recovered, the financial loses will not impact teachers or students. The PTA has held several successful fundraisers this year.

“Paul Munro has an active PTA with strong parental involvement. Paul Munro and LCS value these important partnerships with parents and the community, and we will continue to encourage parental involvement in our schools; however, this recent unfortunate incident of misconduct serves as a reminder that all community organizations must engage in best practices and remain accountable to one another so that funds are used appropriately.”

Hooper said the experience has made the new PTA stronger than ever, and inspired many to rally behind the school. It has also led the PTA to change its policies and procedures putting in place numerous precautions.

The PTA has rewritten its bylaws, appointed both a treasurer and treasurer-elect who jointly are responsible for finances, requires no less than three signatures on every check, implemented a nepotism policy and requires that all cash handled at fundraisers be counted by all members.

“Now we have more than just one pair of eyes doing it,” Hooper said.

Parent club officer accused of embezzlement in California

A Newman woman was arrested Jan. 20 on suspicion of stealing more than $6,000 from the parent-teacher organization (PTO) at Hurd Barrington Elementary School, according to police reports.

Police Chief Randy Richardson said Maria E. Cota, 34, was booked on one count of embezzlement and two counts of burglary.

The arrest and felony charges followed an investigation which began Jan. 8 when other members of the PTO reported discrepancies to authorities, Richardson said.

Cota was the vice president and fund-raising coordinator for the organization, Richardson told Mattos Newspapers.

Richardson said Cota is accused of making unauthorized purchases and withdrawals from the PTO account. He said the case involves 15 ATM withdrawals and two store purchases which occurred from Nov. 21 to Jan. 6.

The total amount involved, Richardson commented, is “in excess of $6,000.”

Cota was an employee of the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District who worked in the after-school program at Von Renner Elementary, confirmed Dave Kline, the district’s director of human resources.

He said that as of Jan. 11 Cota was no longer an employee of the district but declined to provide additional details, citing the confidentiality of personnel matters.

Kelly PTO embezzling allegations in court

A Tracy woman accused of embezzling more than $40,000 from the George Kelly School Parent Teacher Organization made her first appearance in court on Monday.

Barbara Jean Tabaldi, 52, appeared before Judge Robert Baysinger for arraignment on one felony count of embezzlement in the Manteca branch of San Joaquin County Superior Court. Sacramento attorney Megan Shapiro spoke on Tabaldi’s behalf.

Prosecutor Stephen Taylor was unable to attend the hearing, and a deputy district attorney who filled in for him requested a continuance. The judge scheduled a further arraignment hearing at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Manteca court.

According to court documents, Tabaldi is accused of taking $48,979 from the kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school’s PTO fund and mismanaging a second PTO account belonging to the teachers while she was the PTO treasurer from July 19, 2010, to July 1, 2014.

Documents show that other PTO officers noticed a possible problem in July 2014 when the new board identified numerous ATM cash withdrawals from the two accounts during the period Tabaldi served as treasurer.

Stacie Petrovich, the PTO president during the 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years, asked for an accounting review to look for possible misappropriation of funds, which was performed in September 2014 by the firm of Vavrinek, Trine, Day and Co.

Petrovich and Laura Olson, a Kelly School teacher who was the co-treasurer for the teachers PTO account, gained access to the PTO accounts at Wells Fargo in July 2014. They reportedly found records of numerous ATM and branch withdrawals from both accounts, as well as frequent online transfers between the accounts.

A further review revealed that the teachers PTO debit card had been used in October 2013 to purchase Disney Resort vacations without the knowledge or permission of Olson or the PTO board.

Olson stated during the investigation that she was in charge of the teachers PTO account as the co-treasurer. She said that Kelly School’s roughly 44 teachers would start out each year with about $88 each to use for their classrooms from the fund.

On May 29, 2014, Olson discovered that numerous Kelly teachers had not received that money from Tabaldi. Some had been given checks written from the teachers PTO account that bounced due to insufficient finds. Olsen stated that when she checked on June 30, 2014, the account was overdrawn by $599.61.

During the accounting review of both accounts, it was alleged that Tabaldi had made dozens of ATM and branch withdrawals adding up to tens of thousands of dollars from the PTO club and teachers PTO accounts using debit cards issued in her name. Olson said she hadn’t known that the debit cards existed.

Two ATM withdrawals and three branch withdrawals occurred during Tabaldi’s first three weeks as treasurer, between July 19 and Aug. 9, 2010, before school started on Aug. 11.

Court documents show that she “was floating funds” from the teachers PTO account to the PTO club account and back again “in order to withdraw cash funds for her personal use and/or gain.” Investigators believe the transfers, about which the PTO club board knew nothing, were an attempt by Tabaldi to conceal the money missing from the accounts.

Tabaldi remains out of custody on $50,000 bail.

Former Cumberland PTO president faces embezzlement charge in North Carolina

Cumberland County authorities said Tuesday that they have charged a former Parent Teacher Organization president with stealing from the group.

Amber Nicole Tripp, of 1609 Crescent Drive in Spring Lake, was arrested Friday on an embezzlement charge and was released on a $3,000 unsecured bond.

Investigators said Tripp embezzled $2,695 from the Manchester Elementary School PTO in March by taking cash from the Scholastics book fair and not depositing the cash into the PTO bank account.

Embezzlement cases continue to plague California area

Barbara Jean Tabaldi is facing a tough holiday season. The 52-year-old former treasurer of the Kelly School Parent Teacher Organization is facing charges of embezzling $48,979 from the organization.

She was arrested Dec. 3 and released on $50,000 bail until her next court appearance on Dec. 28 in the Manteca Branch of San Joaquin Superior Court. Her charges are one in a string of embezzlement cases that have been brought throughout the county in the last year.

Tabaldi is accused of mismanaging the school’s PTO Club and Teachers PTO accounts from July 19, 2010, through July 1, 2014 and using a debit card for personal expenses such as a Disney Resort in October 2013.

Embezzlement continues to be a large problem in San Joaquin County. PTOs are an easy target due to the fact that they deal with large sums of money from fundraisers often held to help pay for school activities.

Defendants in PTO cases range from school district employees to parents and volunteers. Tabaldi was a mother and volunteer with the group.

There are things PTOs and similar organizations can due to minimize their risk. San Joaquin Deputy District Attorney Stephen Taylor suggests rotating treasurers at least every year, and have a finance committee monitor bank reconciliations, cancelled checks and bank and credit card statements in committee regularly. 

Lack of standard protocols by such organizations on the handling of money leads to continued problems with PTO embezzlements.

Taylor suggests school districts impose rules or standards on the PTOs operating in their schools so that as a minimum no one person has enduring sole control over the money and records.

Parent Volunteer Accused of Embezzling Money From Sunnyside School PTA Fund in Washington

 A parent volunteer with the Sunnyside School District is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the PTA. The woman went before a judge Monday afternoon, facing embezzlement charges.

39 year old Andrea Monelle Gatica is believed to have been stealing money from the PTA for over a year long span.

Gatica is accused of stealing more than $5,000 from the Sun Valley Elementary School PTA starting in 2012. Gatica was the PTA's president, but resigned in 2013, at which point the school district reviewed finances, finding more than $35,000 were unaccounted for.

    

When questioned by police Gatica admitted to spending $3,000 to pay for bills and food, something the school district was not pleased to find out.

"I would say we were surprised and disappointed," Superintendent Rick Cole said, "But I think it's important to distinguish that this is not a school program, it's a school booster club that ran itself independently of the school district."

    

During the investigation in 2014 Gatica changed her story and told police she was protecting her daughter, who allegedly stole an additional $1,700. In addition police found that Gatica had used the PTA credit card at various restaurants and gas stations over the course of that year.  

    

She's currently facing charges of first degree theft, if convicted she could face up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $20,000.

Kelly PTO treasurer charged with embezzlement in California

The former treasurer of the Kelly School Parent Teacher Organization is accused of embezzling $48,979 from the organization.

Barbara Jean Tabaldi, 52, of Tracy, was arrested by Tracy Police Department on Dec. 3 and booked into the county jail on a $50,000 arrest warrant, according to a Wednesday news release from the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s office.

Tabaldi is accused of mismanaging the school’s PTO Club and Teachers PTO accounts from July 19, 2010, through July 1, 2014, as well as withdrawing funds using a debit card that she had issued in her name, according to court documents.

It is also alleged that she used the debit card at Disney Resorts during October 2013 without the knowledge or permission of the two PTO clubs.

Tabaldi verbally resigned as treasurer on July 8, 2014, after holding the position since July 1, 2010.

The criminal charges against her followed an investigation by Tracy Police Detective Alexi Kalinin and a forensic examination of the finances of the school PTO conducted by Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., a Pleasanton accounting firm, according to the release.

The Kelly School principal could not be reached for comment as of press time.

District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar stated that “maintaining strong accounting controls, rotating bookkeeping duties and maintaining insurance are key to controlling embezzlements.”

“The district attorney’s office is doing everything possible to fight these crimes, which we see as a threat to quality of life,” she said in the release. “Embezzlements hollow out businesses and organizations — killing jobs and cutting services which the people of San Joaquin County rely on.”

Tabaldi, who was released from the county jail last week, promised to appear for arraignment at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 28 in the Manteca Branch of San Joaquin Superior Court.

The prosecutor of the case, Deputy District Attorney Stephen Taylor, said Wednesday that the district attorney’s office believed that pressing embezzlement charges in situations like this could help solve the problem.

“I hope if we keep prosecuting these cases, there will be enough notice that people will tighten their businesses up,” he said. “This is a problem, and the only way to stop it is for victims to be more resistant.”

Barbara Jean Tabaldi is facing a tough holiday season. The 52-year-old former treasurer of the Kelly School Parent Teacher Organization is facing charges of embezzling $48,979 from the organization.

She was arrested Dec. 3 and released on $50,000 bail until her next court appearance on Dec. 28 in the Manteca Branch of San Joaquin Superior Court. Her charges are one in a string of embezzlement cases that have been brought throughout the county in the last year.

Tabaldi is accused of mismanaging the school’s PTO Club and Teachers PTO accounts from July 19, 2010, through July 1, 2014 and using a debit card for personal expenses such as a Disney Resort in October 2013.

Embezzlement continues to be a large problem in San Joaquin County. PTOs are an easy target due to the fact that they deal with large sums of money from fundraisers often held to help pay for school activities.

Defendants in PTO cases range from school district employees to parents and volunteers. Tabaldi was a mother and volunteer with the group.

There are things PTOs and similar organizations can due to minimize their risk. San Joaquin Deputy District Attorney Stephen Taylor suggests rotating treasurers at least every year, and have a finance committee monitor bank reconciliations, cancelled checks and bank and credit card statements in committee regularly. 

Lack of standard protocols by such organizations on the handling of money leads to continued problems with PTO embezzlements.

Taylor suggests school districts impose rules or standards on the PTOs operating in their schools so that as a minimum no one person has enduring sole control over the money and records.

Embezzlement investigation snares Fortville PTO officer

The PTO treasurer at Fortville Elementary School has been asked to step aside as the organization launches an investigation into its finances.

The former treasurer, 39-year-old Marcy Smitley, is accused of stealing more than $120,000 from a homeowners association she managed on the south side of Indianapolis. Smitley faces 21 felony counts, including theft and forgery, Fox59 reports.

She's also served as PTO treasurer for two school years, according to the PTO president. However, the district said they've seen no signs of theft from the PTO account.

"My reaction was just amazement. I was shocked," said William Riggs, superintendent of the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation. "She's done a good job of being a volunteer."

Riggs said the district got tipped off by a local paper.

Marion County prosecutors said Smitley took approximately $127,983 from the homeowners association at the Windslow Crossing condominium complex on the south side from 2009 to 2014. Smitley was working as a manager of that HOA, collecting dues, paying bills, and getting bids for various jobs on the property, according to a board member.

Investigators said she wrote unauthorized checks to her own management company. By May of last year, HOA leaders were suspicious and found the alleged fraud.

Smitley was booked in jail and bonded out last week. That's when the school got wind of the charges.

"That's something that they'll go through their receipts and their revenues and take a look at, but there's nothing I'm aware of that's inappropriate at this point," said Riggs.

Riggs said PTO funds are separate from school funds. The accounts typically don't carry large balances, no more than $5,000, and money from fundraisers is quickly reinvested in the school.

Still, PTO President Mary Jo Adams told us by phone that they are reviewing every transaction to make sure no money in their account is missing. She anticipates their preliminary investigation will be complete next week.

We went to Smitley's home for comment, but nobody answered the door.

Former parent-teacher organization treasurer sentenced for 'rather stunning' embezzlement

 A former parent-teacher council treasurer wept as she told a judge how sorry she was for wiping out the annual budget of the organization in a year-long embezzlement scheme.

But for the members of the Cannonsburg Elementary School support group, the tears and remorse are too little, too late and all they want from Shannon Marie Rosales is their $21,000 back.

Rosales, 35, told Kent County Circuit Court Judge Donald Johnston that she let her personal financial issues get in the way of her better judgement.

"I feel like I am a good person who has made a huge mistake," Rosales said as she wept in the courtroom on Tuesday, Feb. 3. "I am truly sorry."

Rosales said she has gotten a second job with the intention of paying back the money she admitted to taking between November 2013 and October 2014. She said she had $1,000 she was going to pay to the court the same day she is sentenced.

Rosales pleaded guilty to attempted embezzlement.

Members of the parent-teacher group said the money would be the first dime of they have received and the first statement of remorse from the woman who still shows her face at the school which her child attends.

"We are faced with starting over," said PTC president Jessie Challa, who spoke during the hearing. "Our entire annual budget was taken by someone we thought we could
trust."

Challa said the loss of funds meant that the organization had to cancel field trip transportation, cancel assemblies, forego technology improvements and curtail activities for the students of the smallest of Rockford's elementary schools.

The money was taken in varying amounts often using an ATM to get cash which PTC members say was spent on frivolous pursuits.

Challa told the judge that while the members of the PTC had varying opinions about jail time, they agreed that the most important thing is getting the money paid back.

Johnston said that while the crime committed by Rosales was "rather stunning" and tantamount to stealing from the church poor-box, three months in jail as called for by the state sentencing guideline would not make a lot of sense.

"While locking you up would make us feel better by seeing you walk out with the sheriff, it would not serve our goal," Johnston said.

Johnston placed Rosales on five years of probation and ordered her to pay back the money with timely installments or face 45 days in jail.

After the hearing, members of the PTC were not exactly happy, but satisfied that there is a mechanism in place to get them their money back, even though that money will not be there in time to benefit the students who worked so hard to raise it and are now
suffering because of the broken trust of an adult who was supposed to be looking out for them.

Ex-PTO treasurer set for plea in $46,000 embezzlement case at Muskegon County elementary school

The former treasurer of Mona Shores' Campbell Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization has been scheduled for a guilty or no-contest plea to embezzling from the organization.

After a pretrial conference this week, Jordann Nicole Lockhart was scheduled for a plea Feb. 17 in front of Muskegon County 14th Circuit Chief Judge William C.  Marietti, according to the Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office.

Lockhart, 33, of Muskegon was charged last October with embezzlement by agent or trustee of between $20,000 and $50,000. That's a felony punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison, but the actual sentence would be decided by Marietti based on state guidelines. Lockhart has no prior criminal record, which means her sentencing guidelines would likely be low.

Lockhart is accused of stealing more than $46,000 from the parent-teacher group.

Prosecutors earlier said the alleged embezzlements happened over a period of about 19 or 20 months in 2013 and 2014. Lockhart, who had control of the PTO's checking account, allegedly made checks out to cash or to herself, draining the organization's account.

The PTO is independent of the school. PTOs raise money privately through fundraisers, box-top redemptions, popcorn sales and the like.

Because of the embezzlement, the organization was left with no money to pay for new playground equipment recently installed at Campbell School, former Mona Shores Superintendent Dave Peden said last October. The school temporarily covered approximately $25,000 in costs, with the PTO expected to gradually repay the school district over a period of time, he said.

According to earlier reports, the missing money was discovered after the pastor of Westwood Reformed Church was presented with a check from the PTO that was returned for insufficient funds. The pastor informed the school's principal. The church helps the school with various events, including the annual fifth grade graduation ceremony.

Treasurer arrested in Hillsboro PTO embezzlement case

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office has arrested a Thompson's Station woman on charges of stealing thousands from the Hillsboro School Parent Teacher Organization.

Billie Sue Barker, 44, was arrested Friday and is being charged with theft of more than $10,000. Her bond is set at $50,000.

Barker was the treasurer of the elementary and middle school PTO for the past year. More than $20,000 is believed to be missing from the PTO's account at a local bank. A Williamson County School District internal auditor is assisting to determine the actual amount, officials said.

The money was slated for the purchase of laptops for students at the kindergarten through eighth-grade school, located near Leiper's Fork. The discovery of the missing money was made last week when a PTO check intended to purchase 23 laptops bounced at a local bank.


"It's not right to steal money from kids," said Jennifer Smith, PTO president-elect, who said much of the money was raised during the school's Barnaroo Fall Fest. "We have safeguards in place, and (this person) circumvented every one of them."

Unfortunately, the temptation to steal is real, and it happens more than people want to believe, said Jim Wilson, a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner. His Bellevue firm assisted in the case of a woman who stole $150,000 from an elementary school's parent-teacher association in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

In that case, Julie Buchanan was convicted in 2007 for taking money from the Granbery Elementary School PTA fund meant for a student at the school who was dying of cancer.

Schools are often a target because there are no controls in place, Wilson says.

"Here's the money. It's very tempting to go get a check and write it out," he adds. "There are a lot of tricks to the trade; they seem to be multifarious. It comes out quite often that schools, churches and the elderly — where someone puts their trust in someone, and they take liberties."

If there is a silver lining to the situation, Superintendent Mike Looney says insurance may help the the parent organization recover some of the mon

Woman pleads guilty in embezzlement from Lansing school PTO

A Lansing woman who prosecutors say stole between $7,000 and $8,000 from a Lansing elementary school’s parent-teacher organization has pleaded guilty to an embezzlement charge.

Tammy McGrath, 34, pleaded guilty Monday in Clinton County Circuit Court to attempted embezzlement of more than $1,000 but less than $20,000, officials said. She faces up to 2½ years in prison. A sentence hearing is set for Jan. 27.

Prosecutors say McGrath, the onetime treasurer of the PTO at Sheridan Road Elementary, embezzled the money between October 2012 and July or August of this year.

When she was charged in September, McGrath was working as a bus driver for Lansing schools. She initially was placed on unpaid administrative leave, but now no longer works for the district, according to district spokesman Bob Kolt.

Clinton County Assistant Prosecutor Mike Clarizio said McGrath will have to pay restitution. Clarizio said McGrath disputes the total amount missing from the PTO accounts.

“There might have to be a restitution hearing to determine the exact amount,” he said.

McGrath’s attorney, Fred Blackmond, did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Sheridan Road Elementary is part of the Lansing School District, but is located in DeWitt Township in Clinton County.

John Meisner, former treasurer of Easthampton High School Parent Council, accused of embezzlement

The former treasurer of the Easthampton High School Parent Council is accused of embezzling about $19,000 from that organization, including $3,600 to help buy a house.

John R. Meisner, 56, of Bernardston, has pleaded not guilty in Northampton District Court to charges of larceny over $250 by a single scheme and embezzlement by an association officer over $250.

Meisner is accused of making 35 cash withdrawals totaling $19,181.26 from the council’s bank account during the six years he was treasurer.

According to court files, Meisner was the treasurer and lone signatory on the council’s account from October 2006 until October 2012 when suspicious transactions prompted the council to add a second signatory to help review the account.

The council is a volunteer organization that produces the annual high school musical, the proceeds of which fund Easthampton High School graduation night and a pair of scholarships, according to court records.
According to court files, suspicion surrounding the account surfaced in January 2012 when Meisner allegedly delayed reimbursing council members for legitimate expenses and failed to send scholarship checks to recipients in a timely manner.

One scholarship check was unable to be cashed due to insufficient funds in the council’s account, according to investigators.

Once the suspicious transactions were found, the original account — which investigators said was “essentially empty” — was closed, and a new one was opened with a new treasurer in place in October 2012, according to court records.

Meisner told police that in December 2011 he withdrew $3,600 from the council account and converted it into a bank check for a real estate agent who was assisting with the purchase of a new home, according to court records.

On Oct. 4, 2012, Meisner deposited a check for $9,000 into the council account. According to investigators, the check was deposited the day before Meisner was to meet with a council member and the Easthampton High School principal, Vito Perrone, about adding a second signatory to the account.

The $9,000 check was made payable to Meisner and drawn from the account of a family member in Colorado, according to investigators.

Meisner allegedly told investigators he had borrowed money from the council account to offset financial difficulties at home, but intended to fully pay it back.

According to court files, Meisner told police he did not believe he had withdrawn a total of $19,000 over the course of the six years, but agreed his record-keeping of the withdrawals may not have been accurate.

According to court records there were major discrepancies between the account balances Meisner was reporting to the council and what the bank records showed.

At a March 15, 2012, council meeting, Meisner reported an account balance of about $10,522, while the bank statement from a week prior showed a balance of about $1,739, according to court papers.


Similarly, at an April 12, 2012, council meeting, Meisner reported an account balance of about $9,063, while the April 8 bank statement showed a balance of about $549, according to court files.

Meisner was arraigned in August and there is a pretrial conference scheduled for Jan. 8.

Marine City, Michigan PTO treasurer charged with embezzlement

The Parent Teacher Organization at Belle River Elementary School in Marine City discovered this summer that funds meant for students were being pilfered by someone else.



That person is alleged to be the PTO Treasurer Jennifer Alloy of Marine City; she was arrested Aug. 14 by Marine City police. She was arraigned and had a preliminary exam before Judge Michael Hulewicz in Marine City District Court. Alloy is charged with embezzlement under $20,000. Alloy's next court date will be Aug. 28 in front of Hulewicz.



PTO President Kelly Vogler said when they first found out about the stolen money they were taken totally by surprise.



"It was quite a shock," she said. "We never thought we would ever be going through this. We all have gone through the gamut of emotions. Now, we are trying to keep positive and take the high road."



Marine City Police Chief Don Tillery said he couldn't comment on the arrest while it was still in court. Alloy was appointed defense attorney Randolph Martinek, Jr. and Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mary Kelly is prosecutor.



Belle River parent Nicole Hart said the amount was very close to $20,000 and possibly more. Hart said Alloy paid back $3,000 of it so the charges would be for under $20,000.



Hart said she believes Alloy began stealing from the fund "right when she took office before school even started on July 2012."



The offense involves writing phony checks, she said.



Carrie Devries, vice president of the PTO, said the amount of support the parents have given them is very encouraging during this time.



"We are trying to keep a positive spin on it and re-build," she said.



Vogler said they have instituted tighter measures in their accounting. They already had the two signature rule on checks when Alloy was in office, but now it will take three signatures on checks and they will be working directly with the Belle River Elementary office.



"We will have eyes on everything going in and going out," she said. "We are looking at ways that this will never happen again."



They have several fundraisers coming up in the coming months, starting with a Mom-to-Mom Bake Sale on Sept. 14, a Road Rally at Anita's Riverfront Grille on Sept. 28 and their annual Fun Run for the kids Oct. 11. They will also sponsor a Spookfest for Halloween on Oct. 25 and plan a Ladies Night Out on Nov. 16.



The Marine City Booster Club, another service group that works outside of the school's leadership, had the same problem three years ago, when - as booster club treasurer - Carrie Rhodes was caught pulling money out of their account to deposit into her own purse, totaling $35,000. Barbara Haman, then the ECSD director of financing, had said after the incident, she shared district-approved procedures for handling cash and making disbursements with various service groups in the district.