A Caledonia high school guidance counselor has been placed on paid administrative leave amid embezzlement allegation.
Superintendent Lynn Wright would not identify the school employee or confirm the administrative leave citing the matter as a personnel issue but multiple sources within the district said the counselor, who has been employed with the district for six years, was placed on administrative leave Wednesday afternoon. Sources said approximately $3,000 has been reported missing from the high school's office. The money, which was collected from transcript fees, was reportedly left in an envelope in a vault, but it is unclear how many people may have had access to the vault.
Wright said an allegation was made last week and the incident is under investigation by the Lowndes County Sheriff's Department.
"Until we get all the facts, we don't want to speculate," Wright said. "There are too many unknowns. We want to get to the bottom of it and we want to hold the person accountable if something was done wrong or inappropriate but we don't want to hurt anybody that's innocent.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Cameron Teacher Resigned Prior to His Indictment in New Mexico
Earlier this month, a New Mexico grand jury indicted William “Kal” Kalinowski on on 10 counts of embezzlement and fraud over $20,000.
In 2011, Kalinowski was hired by the Framingham Public Schools to teach social studies at Cameron Middle School.
On Aug. 25, at 7:57 p.m. Kalinowski submitted his resignation to Cameron Principal Michelle Melick said Framingham Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott in a written statement very early Sunday morning.
As of Saturday night, Sept. 21, Kalinowski was still listed on the website as a teacher.
Kalinowski was not employed with the school system when he was indicted, but did work for the school system during New Mexico's Regulation and Licensing Department's two-year investigation.
Scott in his email to Patch wrote "while I believe an investigation is being restarted, it does not appear that any indictments or convictions have occurred."
A criminal summons was issued ordering Kalinowski, 68, to appear in the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe for an arraignment on Oct. 7, at 10 a.m.
Each count against Kalinowski is a second-degree felony carrying a maximum penalty of nine years in prison.
The case is being handled by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department’s Special Prosecutor Scott Mullins under the jurisdiction of First Judicial District Attorney Angela Pacheco.
Kalinowki, who lives in Duxbury, talked to a New Mexico TV station about the case. Click here to watch.
The case involved Kalinowski's life as a homebuilder in New Mexico.
Scott said references were checked prior to Kalinowski being hired with Framingham Public Schools.
"Pursuant to MA law at that time, a MA CORI was completed, said Scott. A Massachusetts CORI only reports offenses committed in Massachusetts, not in any of the other 49 states.
In 2012, Massachusetts law was changed to require national fingerprints for school employees.
Scott said the state "has not provided steps to schools for processing the fingerprints."
Under the new 2012 law, new teachers, school employees, bus drivers, early education and care and out-of-school care providers, must undergo state and national background checks starting in the 2013-14 school year.
The 2012 law also called for all current employees to undergo national background checks before the start of the 2016-17 school year.
In 2011, Kalinowski was hired by the Framingham Public Schools to teach social studies at Cameron Middle School.
On Aug. 25, at 7:57 p.m. Kalinowski submitted his resignation to Cameron Principal Michelle Melick said Framingham Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott in a written statement very early Sunday morning.
As of Saturday night, Sept. 21, Kalinowski was still listed on the website as a teacher.
Kalinowski was not employed with the school system when he was indicted, but did work for the school system during New Mexico's Regulation and Licensing Department's two-year investigation.
Scott in his email to Patch wrote "while I believe an investigation is being restarted, it does not appear that any indictments or convictions have occurred."
A criminal summons was issued ordering Kalinowski, 68, to appear in the First Judicial District Court in Santa Fe for an arraignment on Oct. 7, at 10 a.m.
Each count against Kalinowski is a second-degree felony carrying a maximum penalty of nine years in prison.
The case is being handled by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department’s Special Prosecutor Scott Mullins under the jurisdiction of First Judicial District Attorney Angela Pacheco.
Kalinowki, who lives in Duxbury, talked to a New Mexico TV station about the case. Click here to watch.
The case involved Kalinowski's life as a homebuilder in New Mexico.
Scott said references were checked prior to Kalinowski being hired with Framingham Public Schools.
"Pursuant to MA law at that time, a MA CORI was completed, said Scott. A Massachusetts CORI only reports offenses committed in Massachusetts, not in any of the other 49 states.
In 2012, Massachusetts law was changed to require national fingerprints for school employees.
Scott said the state "has not provided steps to schools for processing the fingerprints."
Under the new 2012 law, new teachers, school employees, bus drivers, early education and care and out-of-school care providers, must undergo state and national background checks starting in the 2013-14 school year.
The 2012 law also called for all current employees to undergo national background checks before the start of the 2016-17 school year.
Woman convicted on all counts for stealing $55,000 from small Mobile, Alabama church
Beneath all the receipts, bank statements and other paperwork, it was very simple: Evelyn Mace “duped” the members of First Independent Methodist Church to the tune of about $55,000, and a jury of her peers convicted her of it.
Such was the opinion of Assistant District Attorney Martha Tierney after a jury convicted Mace, 61, on five counts related to funds she stole from the Halls Mill Road church between 2009 and 2011. The verdict came down Friday in Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Robert Smith’s courtroom.
Mace was convicted of two different counts of theft – first-degree theft and first-degree theft by deception – as well as three counts of felony tax evasion. In other words, not only did she steal, both outright and through “larceny by trick,” she also neglected to claim her “ill-gotten gains” on her taxes, Tierney said. And she did it to a church family who, at times, remembered her fondly.
“It’s unfortunate when something like this happens,” Tierney said. “It was a betrayal of her church, it was a betrayal of her friends, it was a betrayal of the trust.”
Mace, a Realtor associated with Prudential Cooper & Co. Inc., was hired at First Independent as a bookkeeper, and during the three years included in the indictment, used the $55,000 she stole in numerous ways, including for her personal utility bills and to feed a gambling problem that found her at Mississippi Gulf Coast casinos, according to testimony.
“Her trick was to get (church leaders) to sign checks in blank, clipped to an invoice, payable to herself or to petty cash,” Tierney said. “The elders were so trusting.
“Internal control is not the first thing in the minds of church people for whom love and trust are most predominant.”
Sharee Kinard, who took over the books on a volunteer basis after Mace was fired by the church, wept on the witness stand during the trial, describing her family and Mace’s as friends who spent time together on Wednesday nights at the small church, which had a total congregation of only a couple hundred people. Around 40 people could be expected at the church for any given service, according to testimony.
“She was very special,” Kinard said. “I loved her like a sister in Christ for sure.”
For Tierney, the challenge in white-collar cases is always in finding a way to present expansive financial records to the jurors in a way that’s simple and direct. And to that end she had high praise for Agent Randy Day, with the State Revenue Department.
“He is one of the best forensic accountants I have ever worked with,” Tierney said. “He happily, eagerly and dedicatedly followed thousands of records to organize and categorize the five different schemes (Mace) used to take money.”
The two counts of theft carry sentences of five years in prison each, with each count of tax evasion carrying the possibility of two-to-twenty years, according to Tierney. A restitution hearing will be held within 30 days to determine how much Mace will be required to pay back to the church, Tierney said.
At some point during the schemes, Mace put some of her own money back into the church’s accounts, she said, and the restitution amount will likely affect the final amount. It could be less than the $55,000 stolen, Tierney said.
After the jury rendered its verdict, defense attorney Joe Dennis filed an oral notice of appeal. An appeal date has not been set, and citing such Dennis said he could not comment specifically on the details of the case. He wasn’t sure whether or not he would be representing Mace on appeal.
Dennis did, however, share a compliment for his opponent across the courtroom aisle.
“We’ve got the finest DA’s office and the finest law enforcement and they put on a great case,” he said.
Such was the opinion of Assistant District Attorney Martha Tierney after a jury convicted Mace, 61, on five counts related to funds she stole from the Halls Mill Road church between 2009 and 2011. The verdict came down Friday in Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Robert Smith’s courtroom.
Mace was convicted of two different counts of theft – first-degree theft and first-degree theft by deception – as well as three counts of felony tax evasion. In other words, not only did she steal, both outright and through “larceny by trick,” she also neglected to claim her “ill-gotten gains” on her taxes, Tierney said. And she did it to a church family who, at times, remembered her fondly.
“It’s unfortunate when something like this happens,” Tierney said. “It was a betrayal of her church, it was a betrayal of her friends, it was a betrayal of the trust.”
Mace, a Realtor associated with Prudential Cooper & Co. Inc., was hired at First Independent as a bookkeeper, and during the three years included in the indictment, used the $55,000 she stole in numerous ways, including for her personal utility bills and to feed a gambling problem that found her at Mississippi Gulf Coast casinos, according to testimony.
“Her trick was to get (church leaders) to sign checks in blank, clipped to an invoice, payable to herself or to petty cash,” Tierney said. “The elders were so trusting.
“Internal control is not the first thing in the minds of church people for whom love and trust are most predominant.”
Sharee Kinard, who took over the books on a volunteer basis after Mace was fired by the church, wept on the witness stand during the trial, describing her family and Mace’s as friends who spent time together on Wednesday nights at the small church, which had a total congregation of only a couple hundred people. Around 40 people could be expected at the church for any given service, according to testimony.
“She was very special,” Kinard said. “I loved her like a sister in Christ for sure.”
For Tierney, the challenge in white-collar cases is always in finding a way to present expansive financial records to the jurors in a way that’s simple and direct. And to that end she had high praise for Agent Randy Day, with the State Revenue Department.
“He is one of the best forensic accountants I have ever worked with,” Tierney said. “He happily, eagerly and dedicatedly followed thousands of records to organize and categorize the five different schemes (Mace) used to take money.”
The two counts of theft carry sentences of five years in prison each, with each count of tax evasion carrying the possibility of two-to-twenty years, according to Tierney. A restitution hearing will be held within 30 days to determine how much Mace will be required to pay back to the church, Tierney said.
At some point during the schemes, Mace put some of her own money back into the church’s accounts, she said, and the restitution amount will likely affect the final amount. It could be less than the $55,000 stolen, Tierney said.
After the jury rendered its verdict, defense attorney Joe Dennis filed an oral notice of appeal. An appeal date has not been set, and citing such Dennis said he could not comment specifically on the details of the case. He wasn’t sure whether or not he would be representing Mace on appeal.
Dennis did, however, share a compliment for his opponent across the courtroom aisle.
“We’ve got the finest DA’s office and the finest law enforcement and they put on a great case,” he said.
Suspects plead guilty; plan to return money to PTA in Michigan
Melissa Moore and Adam Youngs entered guilty pleas Monday in Ottawa County Circuit Court to charges of embezzlement of between $1,000 and $20,000. The pleas were in exchange for time to pay back the money to the organization.
Moore resigned as PTA treasurer in late May. She told Judge Ed Post that she converted the stolen money, which her attorney said was just over $20,000, for her own use.
Youngs told the judge he “benefited from the conversion” and knew what his wife was doing.
Their attorney, James Piper, noted that the agreement called for a repayment on Monday of $9,700, but some of that money needs to come from the bond money they had paid.
Post agreed that they could pay $8,700 on Monday, and then a minimum of $500 a month for eight months to pay the rest of the amount.
A Nov. 4 sentencing date will be delayed for eight months if the couple is meeting the terms of the plea agreement.
Ferry Elementary School Principal Steve Avram told the Tribune for a June story that he was notified a week earlier about discrepancies in the PTA’s checking and savings accounts.
The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety announced Moore’s arrest on July 9. Her husband was arraigned in Ottawa County District Court on July 31.
The police investigation of the embezzlement covered a time frame of Aug. 1, 2012, to May 29, 2013, Post noted during Monday's hearing.
The missing money caused confusion, but PTA members were still able to put on the school's end-of-the-year celebration.
PTA Vice President Andrea Dress said the embezzlement affected a lot of families and left the organization with a mess to deal with.
“They’ve stolen quite a bit from me personally — my time,” she said. “They’ve taken quite a lot.”
PTA President Melissa Poll, who attended Monday's hearing, said: “We’re excited as we leave today. I’m hopeful of getting anything back.”
Poll said they would address the embezzlement situation at the PTA's first meeting of the new school year, which is set for 7 tonight in the school’s art room. The meeting will be moved to the gym if there is a large crowd, she said.
Poll said parent and staff support has been “fabulous” throughout the summer.
“I do 'school of choice' to send my children to Ferry,” she said. “I couldn’t be more happy with my decision.”
Moore resigned as PTA treasurer in late May. She told Judge Ed Post that she converted the stolen money, which her attorney said was just over $20,000, for her own use.
Youngs told the judge he “benefited from the conversion” and knew what his wife was doing.
Their attorney, James Piper, noted that the agreement called for a repayment on Monday of $9,700, but some of that money needs to come from the bond money they had paid.
Post agreed that they could pay $8,700 on Monday, and then a minimum of $500 a month for eight months to pay the rest of the amount.
A Nov. 4 sentencing date will be delayed for eight months if the couple is meeting the terms of the plea agreement.
Ferry Elementary School Principal Steve Avram told the Tribune for a June story that he was notified a week earlier about discrepancies in the PTA’s checking and savings accounts.
The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety announced Moore’s arrest on July 9. Her husband was arraigned in Ottawa County District Court on July 31.
The police investigation of the embezzlement covered a time frame of Aug. 1, 2012, to May 29, 2013, Post noted during Monday's hearing.
The missing money caused confusion, but PTA members were still able to put on the school's end-of-the-year celebration.
PTA Vice President Andrea Dress said the embezzlement affected a lot of families and left the organization with a mess to deal with.
“They’ve stolen quite a bit from me personally — my time,” she said. “They’ve taken quite a lot.”
PTA President Melissa Poll, who attended Monday's hearing, said: “We’re excited as we leave today. I’m hopeful of getting anything back.”
Poll said they would address the embezzlement situation at the PTA's first meeting of the new school year, which is set for 7 tonight in the school’s art room. The meeting will be moved to the gym if there is a large crowd, she said.
Poll said parent and staff support has been “fabulous” throughout the summer.
“I do 'school of choice' to send my children to Ferry,” she said. “I couldn’t be more happy with my decision.”
Former teacher union boss admits to embezzlement in Wyoming
Former Wyoming Area School District teacher union president Lisa Barrett has been charged with embezzling more than $30,000 in union funds and has worked out a plea bargain with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The U.S. attorney issued a press release and filed court documents that include information outlining the charges, the plea agreement and a statement from Barrett. The plea agreement must be approved by a judge in the Middle District court.
Barrett, a high school career technology teacher, resigned her position as union president and requested a sabbatical from work in February at the same time Luzerne County District Attorney Stephanie Salavantis confirmed her office had agreed to look into reports of possible missing funds.
The U.S. attorney is charging Barrett, 48, with one count of embezzlement of funds of a labor organization. The charge has a maximum penalty of five years in prison followed by three years probation and a $250,000 fine, though any sentence is likely to be much lower for a first-time offender.
The plea agreement does not specify what the U.S. attorney might recommend if the agreement is accepted by a judge, but notes the office will recommend a reduction in the sentencing guidelines for the admission of guilt. A judge does not have to accept the attorney recommendation, or even accept the plea agreement.
Pennsylvania State Education Association Northeast Region Spokesman Paul Shemansky said the union had no comment other than to note Barrett is no longer a union member or a teacher and her defense was handled by her own attorney, Christopher Powell, not by the union.
Shemansky also said the PSEA does “offer training on managing money” and that there are “checks and balances” to try to prevent such embezzlement.
Barrett’s written statement filed with the court is a series of acknowledgements that she understands the legal consequences of the plea agreement.
The U.S. attorney issued a press release and filed court documents that include information outlining the charges, the plea agreement and a statement from Barrett. The plea agreement must be approved by a judge in the Middle District court.
Barrett, a high school career technology teacher, resigned her position as union president and requested a sabbatical from work in February at the same time Luzerne County District Attorney Stephanie Salavantis confirmed her office had agreed to look into reports of possible missing funds.
The U.S. attorney is charging Barrett, 48, with one count of embezzlement of funds of a labor organization. The charge has a maximum penalty of five years in prison followed by three years probation and a $250,000 fine, though any sentence is likely to be much lower for a first-time offender.
The plea agreement does not specify what the U.S. attorney might recommend if the agreement is accepted by a judge, but notes the office will recommend a reduction in the sentencing guidelines for the admission of guilt. A judge does not have to accept the attorney recommendation, or even accept the plea agreement.
Pennsylvania State Education Association Northeast Region Spokesman Paul Shemansky said the union had no comment other than to note Barrett is no longer a union member or a teacher and her defense was handled by her own attorney, Christopher Powell, not by the union.
Shemansky also said the PSEA does “offer training on managing money” and that there are “checks and balances” to try to prevent such embezzlement.
Barrett’s written statement filed with the court is a series of acknowledgements that she understands the legal consequences of the plea agreement.
Local PTA Treasurer Facing Embezzlement Felony in Michigan
Prosecutors say Tammy McGrath took nearly $10,000 from a Sheridian Road PTA over the last year and now she faces felony charges for embezzlement.
Our Nick Perreault spoke with the prosecuting attorney and school district about how this happened and what's next for McGrath.
"The defendant in this matter could have been having some financial difficulties could have been some motivation," Assistant Prosecutor Michael Clarizio said.
But that motivation has Lansing school bus driver Tammy McGrath in the hot seat.
She's accused of taking between 7-$8,000 from a Sheridan School PTA, while serving as treasurer between October of 2012 and august of this year.
Assistant prosecuting attorney Michael Clarizio says this case started with a tip from another employee.
"There was a complaint made from the school about possible funds being embezzled or missing and that complaint was made to the Dewitt Township Police Department," Clarizio said.
The prosecutor says those who take money like this usually have gambling issues, are involved with drugs or they're strapped for cash.
He says the evidence seems to show McGrath needed money.
The assistant prosecuting attorney says Tammy McGrath didn't hasn't been charged in the past for embezzlement or criminal charges of any kind.
McGrath has been suspended from her duties with Lansing school district without pay and the district said if a criminal investigation is underway, "we step aside for law enforcement authorities.:
The bus driver waved her preliminary hearing, so this will go straight to trial at circuit court.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) - As treasurer of the local PTA, prosecutors say parents thought they could trust that same bus driver with their money.
But now she faces a felony and if convicted, she could spend up to five years behind bars.
Between October 2012 and August 2013, Tammy McGrath is accused of taking between $7,000 and $8,000 from the Sheridan Road Elementary Parent Teachers Association.
According to Lansing schools an employee tipped off the Dewitt police. It was handed over to the Clinton County prosecutor's office. That's because while it's part of the Lansing district, the Sheridan Road School sits just across the Ingham-Clinton County line.
Now according to the Assistant Prosecutor, McGrath doesn't have a criminal history, but they think they know what prompted her to do this.
"Most People involved in embezzlement have an issue with gambling, drugs, or money and she appears to be financial strained," said Michael Clarizio, Asst. Prosecutor, Clinton County.
On Wednesday, McGrath waived her preliminary exam and the case is moving on to trial.
Philadelphia Man Charged With Embezzling Thousands From Montco Church
Authorities in Montgomery County have arrested a church bookkeeper, charging him with embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the house of worship.
Police say James Moody was hired by the Victory Fellowship Church in Lower Providence Township in late 2010, but soon after he started working he directed the church’s payroll company to deposit money in his accounts, even though the church was paying him directly.
Over two years, police say, he stole more than $156,000 and is now facing theft and related charges
Montgomery County DA Risa Ferman says their investigation also found that Moody committed multiple counts of identity theft.
“It is our belief that Mr. Moody provided false information so that he could misdirect them and so that they would not find out about a prior conviction here in Montgomery County,” Ferman said today.
The DA says the 47-year-old Philadelphia man spent time behind bars in Montgomery County for stealing more than $21,000 while he was controller of the county’s nonprofit Special Olympics organization.
Moody is being held in lieu of $250,000 cash bai
Police say James Moody was hired by the Victory Fellowship Church in Lower Providence Township in late 2010, but soon after he started working he directed the church’s payroll company to deposit money in his accounts, even though the church was paying him directly.
Over two years, police say, he stole more than $156,000 and is now facing theft and related charges
Montgomery County DA Risa Ferman says their investigation also found that Moody committed multiple counts of identity theft.
“It is our belief that Mr. Moody provided false information so that he could misdirect them and so that they would not find out about a prior conviction here in Montgomery County,” Ferman said today.
The DA says the 47-year-old Philadelphia man spent time behind bars in Montgomery County for stealing more than $21,000 while he was controller of the county’s nonprofit Special Olympics organization.
Moody is being held in lieu of $250,000 cash bai
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