Ex-Lynwood School District Official Admits To Taking $700K In Public Funds
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — An ex-business officer for the Lynwood Unified School District admitted Tuesday to taking more than $700,000 in public funds for his own personal use.
William Douglas Agopian, 61, pleaded guilty to one felony count each of misappropriation of public funds and filing a false tax return.
Prosecutors said the money Agopian took was diverted from a bank account that was supposed to be used for a trip to Mexico for students at Lynwood Unified schools.
Officials said Agopain used the money for sports-related events, hot tub equipment, his personal taxes, and hotels.
The former official is facing five years in prison.
According to the District Attorney's Office, Agopian will pay the $700,000 back to the school district and more than $121,000 to the California Franchise Tax Board.
If he fails to repay the money, Agopian could go to prison for eight years, said Deputy District Attorney Dana Aratani.
Agopian is expected to be sentenced Dec. 6.
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