Police Say Treasurer Embezzled School Funds
HIGHLAND PARK (WWJ) - The former Treasurer of a charter school in Highland Park is in hot water, accused of using school funds to buy herself a house in Detroit.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said former George Washington Carver Academy Treasurer Shantell Bell recorded the $25,000 check as a textbook purchase.
As it turned out, "Platinum Title Services" was not a textbook company, as Bell allegedly told school officials, but rather an Ohio-based title company used to complete Bell's real estate transaction.
Police were tipped off by an ex-boyfriend, who reported Bell's actions to the Academy. The Academy later reported the crime to the Michigan State Police.
"The theft of resources from Michigan's children will not be tolerated," said Schuette, in a release, thanking State Police for their work on the case.
"We must root out corruption at all levels of government to ensure the public is served. Nobody will get a free pass when they break the law," he said.
The 37-year old Bell faces up to 10 years in prison and a $75,000 fine on felony charges of embezzlement.
