WHITE HOUSE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The former treasurer of the White House Heritage Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization misappropriated at thousands of dollars from two dances, according to the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
According to the Comptroller's Office, the PTO treasurer took at least $8,000 from two father-daughter dances, including entry fee donations, concessions sales, silent auction proceeds, and photography fees from the May 2022 and 2023 events.
In May, the former PTO treasurer admitted to Comptroller's investigators that she had custody of at least $4,000 after each dance, totaling $8,000. According to the office, the former treasurer told investigators she used a portion of that money on personal expenses, keeping the remaining funds in a bank bag. Furthermore, the Comptroller's office said she told investigators in July 2023, when questions were raised about the missing funds, she panicked and threw away the bank bag with the remaining missing money in a dumpster.
The Comptroller's Office said the PTO received an $8,000 check for deposit on behalf of the former treasurer on July 11, 2024.
According to a release from the Comptroller, investigators identified collection shortages of at least $1,265.87 related to various other events and fundraisers sponsored by the PTO. No records reportedly exist to reconcile these discrepancies, and neither the former PTO treasurer nor other PTO officials could explain them.
The results of the investigation have been sent to the office of the 19th Judicial District Attorney General, the Comptroller's Office said.
“Our investigation revealed a number of deficiencies related to oversight and accountability within the PTO,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower. “It is also a mistake to give one person the full responsibility for receipting and retaining collections, making deposits, record keeping, and bank reconciliations.”
