Former treasurer charged
Editor’s note: The criminal charges in the below-referenced case have been dismissed and the associated criminal record expunged by a Washington County court order issued June 7, 2017.
The former treasurer of a parent-faculty organization at a Canon-McMillan School District elementary school was arrested Friday on theft and related charges by North Strabane Township police.
April John, 38, of 306 Cricketwood Court, North Strabane, was charged by township police Detective John Wybranowski with theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, theft and receiving stolen property for allegedly stealing $4,311.43 from the Borland Manor Elementary School PFO account.
Melissa Bayne, co-president of the Borland Manor PFO, reported the alleged theft to police on June 27.
Bayne told police that she was reviewing the checking account online and noticed a discrepancy with money from the book fair.
Other discrepancies also were noted pertaining to cash received by the PFO from Jan. 1 through April 25.
Bayne told police the book fair deposit had a shortfall. She said that only $1,237 in cash was deposited instead of the $3,290 received, leaving a $2,053 shortfall.
An audit of the books was done, revealing a $4,411.43 shortfall. Bayne said John was asked to provide the PFO financial records. John also reportedly was unwilling to account for her duties or activities as treasurer to the board.
John’s name was removed from the checking account. When John turned over the three checkbooks for the PFO, she reportedly failed to provide all bookkeeping and checking account registry.
John is not the only former treasurer of a parent-teacher organization at an elementary school in the district to be charged with theft this year.
Brian L. Simon, 35, of North Strabane Township, was arrested May 28 by Canonsburg police for allegedly stealing more than $16,000 from the South Central Elementary School PTA. He has repaid the money but the district and PTA wanted to proceed with the charges.
Simon waived charged of theft and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds to Washington County Court on July 11.
John, who is free on $25,000 unsecured bond, faces a preliminary hearing Sept. 16 before District Judge Jay Weller.