Former Nashville Middle School PTO President Indicted for Theft
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Janice Adrian, the former president of the H.G. Hill Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
The investigation began after school officials reported questionable transactions in the PTO bank records.
Investigators determined that Adrian used four schemes to steal at least $31,490 from August 2014 through August 2017. The four schemes are described below:
- 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.
Adrian fabricated bank statements and misled PTO and school officials about the financial condition of the PTO in order to conceal her misappropriations.
In February 2019, Janice Adrian was indicted by the Davidson County Grand Jury on one count of theft over $10,000 and one count of fraudulent use of a credit or debit card.
“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.”
To view the investigation, go to: https://comptroller.tn.gov/office-functions/investigations/find.html
If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: www.comptroller.tn.gov/hotline. Follow us on twitter @TNCOT
Media contact: John Dunn, Public Information Officer, 615.401.7755 or john.dunn@cot.tn.gov
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