Money Stolen from Shelby County Elementary School PTO
Former Balmoral Ridgeway Elementary PTO President IndictedAn investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Tameka Harrison, the former PTO president at Balmoral Ridgeway Elementary School in Shelby County.
The Comptroller’s Office began its investigation after Shelby County school officials notified our office about deficiencies in the Parent Teacher Organization.
Investigators determined that Harrison used at least $2,486.94 of PTO funds to benefit herself. Harrison utilized the PTO’s debit card to make personal purchases at a variety of locations including Walmart, Sam’s Club, Amazon.com, and fuel outlets. She also purchased a one-year membership to the Memphis Zoo and made a $450 ATM withdrawal.
Harrison was the only person who had custody of the PTO’s debit card during her tenure as PTO president. She left office on May 27, 2017, the last day of school.
During an interview with Comptroller investigators on January 29, 2018, Harrison admitted to using PTO funds for her personal benefit and said she was willing to repay the PTO. Financial records indicate that she has repaid $203.22 to the PTO, leaving an unpaid balance of $2,283.72. School officials should take immediate steps to recover this money from Harrison.
In June 2018, Tameka Harrison was indicted by the Shelby County Grand Jury on one count of theft over $1,000.
“Tennessee law requires all school support organizations, such as PTOs, to establish procedures for safeguarding funds,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson. “This organization should take some basic steps such as maintaining bank deposit slips, reconciling the PTO’s bank account, and not letting one person collect and deposit all funds.”
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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