NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The former president of a Nashville school's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) was indicted for theft.
An investigation surrounding Janice Adrian, the former president of the H.G. Hill Middle School PTO began after school officials reported that there had been questionable transactions in the PTO bank records.
It was determined by investigators that Adrian used four different schemes to steal at least $31, 490. These thefts took place from August 2014 and August 2017.
The four schemes used by Adrian are as follow:
- Adrian stole $8,475 by making at least 36 personal purchases using the PTO debit card. She used the debit card to make home rental and car payments, utility and cable payments, and to purchase clothing, furniture, snacks, cigarettes, and other items for her personal benefit.
- Adrian stole $6,832 by making at least 25 ATM cash withdrawals. The cash was not used for PTO purposes.
- Adrian stole $2,000 by transacting a PTO check made payable to cash and keeping the money.
- Adrian withheld at least $14,183 from PTO candy bar, coupon book, and spirit wear fundraisers. She failed to deposit the cash in the PTO bank account and retained the funds for her personal benefit.
Bank statements were also fabricated by Adrian. Additionally, she also misled the PTO and school officials about the condition the finances of the PTO were in so that she could conceal her discretions.
“School support organizations must ensure they safeguard money so that it is only spent for valid purposes,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson. “In this situation, more should have been done to separate financial responsibilities, ensure collections were deposited promptly, and require two signatures on all checks.”
The Davidson County Grand Jury inditced ADrian in February 2019 on one count of theft over $10,000 and one count of fraudulent use of a credit or debit card.
