An investigation involving the alleged embezzlement of funds from the Johnson Elementary Parent Teacher Association (PTA) will be handled by the West Virginia State Police, according to Harrison County Prosecutor Joe Shaffer.

 

Shaffer said the local detachment of the State Police – the Bridgeport Detachment – was given the case due to a potential conflict of interest involving the Bridgeport Police Department. Earlier today, Police Chief John Walker said he was unable to discuss the matter.

“At this point, I can’t discuss the situation due to a possible conflict,” Walker said.

 

State Police officials referred questions on the matter to Sgt. Mark Kiddy. Kiddy, however, was on his day off and could not be reached for comment.

 

The numbers involved in the embezzlement are substantial, according to Harrison County Board of Education member Mike Queen. The total is in the tens of thousands of dollars.

 

“It’s in excess of $30,000,” Queen said. “It’s actually a little more than $31,000.”

 

The exact number will be determined by an audit, Shaffer said. BOE President Paul Howe added that Tetrick & Bartlett will conduct the audit with the goal of the audit to return fees to the parties affected.

 

“If this runs its course and an individual, or individuals, is found guilty, we hope to provide restitution for the PTA and for the auditing fees or any legal fees incurred by the Board,” Howe said.

 

Howe said to the best of his knowledge the handling of money by PTAs is left to the treasurer and often the PTA president. He prefaced that comment by saying that the situation often varies from school to school as to who, if anyone, helps with the funds along with the duties performed by the treasurer.

 

According to the Johnson Elementary Web site, the president of the school’s PTA association is Monica Blythe. Connect-Bridgeport was hoping to determine if anyone other than the organization’s treasurer was responsible for handling the money. However, Blythe said she had been advised not to discuss the matter.  A call to a Stevenson residence in Bridgeport where a message was left hoping to reach PTA vice president Jennifer Stevenson was not returned.

 

The treasurer of the organization is Melissa Wilfong. There is no listing for Wilfong. There is also no listing for PTA secretary Rose Rosanna.

Shaffer said the matter came to his attention from an attorney with Steptoe & Johnson. That lawyer, Susan Deniker, is the Harrison County Board of Education’s attorney. Shaffer said the course of action will be determined by the result of the audit, as well as the result of the State Police investigation.

 

“From there, we’ll be able to properly determine the course of action,” Shaffer said.

 

If the numbers spelled out by Queen are correct, the matter is a felony if the individual or individuals involved are found guilty. Shaffer said embezzlement of more than $1,000 is a felony, while embezzlement under $1,000 is a misdemeanor.

 

According to Howe, all PTAs have basic audits done by Board of Education Finance Director Sharon Haddix and Johnson’s audit was pending like several others, according to Howe. Also,  Howe said Haddix, who has forwarded the financial information involving the case to Tetrick & Bartlett and the State Police, said once a basic audit would have been done problems with the Johnson PTA’s books would have been identified if the alleged information had not already come to the surface.

 

“When looking at the numbers, Mrs. Haddix said the numbers were so far off that it would have stood out even with a basic audit,” Howe said.

 

According to Queen, incidents such as embezzlement are rare, but they do happen. He said he’s aware of one other allegation in his six years and the total involved was roughly $22,000.

 

When the matter will be adjudicated is unknown. Shaffer said he “hated to speculate” as to a time frame due any number of variables that may be involved.

 

Editor's Note: Top picture is of Board member Mike Queen. Bottom photo is of Board President Paul Howe.