Detroit high school teacher Lydia Johnson, 29 (pictured) was charged with one count of embezzlement from a nonprofit organization after being accused of stealing $30,000 dollars from student events and spending it all at a casino
A Detroit high school teacher is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from student events and spending it all at a casino.
Lydia Johnson, a Spanish teacher at Dakota High School, was charged with one count of embezzlement from a nonprofit organization after authorities say she stole $30,000 to play on penny slots at MGM Grand Detroit casino.
Johnson, 29, had been entrusted to coordinate the high school’s homecoming dance as well as a camping trip.
Macomb County authorities say, based on attendance for Dakota’s 2016 homecoming dance, ticket sales should have taken in nearly $30,000. Johnson, however, deposited only $11,000 into the school’s Homecoming account.
Additionally, Johnson also oversaw ticket sales and receipts for a 60-person student-and-parent trip to Camp Tamarack. Only $500 was deposited with the school when the trip should have taken in $13,000.
A search of her classroom revealed several casino receipts next to the open and empty homecoming envelopes, Prosecutor Eric Smith said in a release.
‘This teacher held a position of trust within the high school,’ he said. ‘She repaid that trust by feeding student funds into a slot machine.’
The prosecutor’s office alleges Johnson spent more than $90,000 at MGM Casino in 2016 playing penny slots, according to casino receipts.
Johnson was placed on administrative leave on May 3 when district administrators discovered some accounting discrepancies in the school’s activities fund, according to a release from Chippewa Valley Schools.
Casino receipts show that Johnson spent $90,000 playing penny slots at MGM Grand Casino (pictured) in 2016. Johnson was in charge of a homecoming dance at Dakota High School. Ticket sales should have brought in $30,000, but she gave the school only $11,000
Additionally, Johnson also oversaw ticket sales and receipts for a 60-person student-and-parent trip to Camp Tamarack for Dakota (pictured). Only $500 was deposited with the school, when the trip should have taken in $13,000
Per district policy, Johnson was prohibited from being on any school premises, attending any school events and having contact with any students or staff without prior permission from the administration.
Administrators contacted the sheriff’s office, which investigated.
An internal audit investigation is in progress.
John was arraigned on Thursday and her bond was set at $10,000. She will be back in court of a hearing on October 5.
If convicted of her felony, she could face up to 10 years in prison.