Missing funds at Las Vegas Academy probed

Teresa Hinds

Tuesday, March 4, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

A former school banker is being investigated for allegedly embezzling more than $20,000 of money earned by Las Vegas Academy students.

The former banker allegedly stole $13,000 from the school choir, $1,000 from the orchestra, $351 from the band and $7,600 from the student store, according to Clark County School District spokesman Ray Willis. Las Vegas Academy is a magnet high school for performing arts.

"Obviously these kids worked hard to raise the money," Willis said. "To see it disappear is nothing short of heartbreaking."

Willis said an audit of the school's books in early January turned up altered receipts, which led to the discovery of the missing funds.

The former school banker, whose name was not released, was suspended pending dismissal Jan. 6 and resigned Jan. 13, Willis said.

"We believe it (embezzling funds) had been going on for approximately four months," Willis said.

After the investigation is concluded, Willis said the school district intends to present its findings to the district attorney's office for possible prosecution.

"We intend to fully pursue this for a full prosecution, which we would hope would ultimately lead to complete restitution of the missing funds," Willis said.

Officer Ken Young of the school district police said he hopes the investigation will be concluded in about two weeks.

Principal Bob Gerye expressed disappointment over the situation.

He said since the school community is so close knit, "I think the effect, more than anything, will be one of disappointment that someone in our community will do that to us. Our kids work very hard, and being that close knit, anything like this hurts the whole community."

Gerye said the missing funds will not prohibit any students from participating in planned trips or activities, which some of the money was earmarked for.

"When we have a problem all the departments band together and help each other out," Gerye said. "Nobody's going to do without anything, nobody's going to be kept at home and not go on a trip because of it."

Willis said the school district is also going to assist the school with replacing the missing funds.