By Michael Eng | Managing Editor
The former president and treasurer of the Springhead Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association has been arrested for stealing money from the PTA’s bank account.
Lisa Shirah, 34, turned herself into Lakeland Police Sept. 7. She faces 16 charges — including fraud, forgery and grand theft — for passing forged and unauthorized checks totaling $16,678.48 from the PTA bank account.
According to police reports, Shirah served as PTA president from October 2011 to January 2012.
At that time, she became PTA treasurer until July 26. As treasurer, Shirah had access to the PTA account and maintained control of the checkbook, bank statements and billing statements.
The problem surfaced when Springhead Elementary School began receiving notices of unpaid bills. According to police reports, Springhead Principal Ann Rushing asked Shirah repeatedly to bring in statements and the PTA’s books for verification; however, she didn’t comply until she was told police had been notified.
In May, PTA officers learned the account had a balance of only $575; it had contained $25,033.26 before Shirah had access to the funds. The school’s financial institution, Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union, provided bank statements and copies of cashed checks. PTA checks require two signatures from authorized users; however, detectives believe Shirah altered the checks after obtaining signatures. She also forged signatures, the reports stated.
The bank documents — along with surveillance footage from Shirah’s bank, MidFlorida Credit Union — show the theft occurred through nine different checks passed from January to May:
• On Jan. 4, Shirah cashed a check for $625.99. The note portion of the check stated the funds were for teacher appreciation. However, PTA officials stated teacher appreciation was not done until the end of the year.
• On Jan. 10, Shirah cashed a check for $2,500, allegedly for a barbecue dinner. The dinner never took place, but the funds were not returned.
• On Feb. 6, Shirah deposited a check, payable to John Shirah, her husband, in the amount of $375.99, again for teacher appreciation.
• On Feb. 9, Shirah cashed a check for $3,500. The notes stated, “Stamps/spring fling money, reimbursement.” According to PTA officials, the check originally was written for $35 and only contained “Stamps” in the note field.
• On March 12, Shirah cashed another check for $3,500 for Spring Fling food. However, there was no Spring Fling.
• On April 19, Shirah cashed a third check for $3,500 for “reimbursement.” She is accused of forging one of the signatures on this check.
• On May 11, Shirah cashed a check for $2,000 for “teacher appreciation week, for food.” She is accused of forging both signatures on this check.
• On June 7, Shirah deposited a check, payable to her husband, for $325.65 for “reimbursement for teacher appreciation week.” Shirah did not have authorization to write a check to her husband.
• On June 15, Shirah deposited another check, payable to her husband, for $350.75 for “reimbursement for fifth-grade banquet.”
When asked, Shirah did not provide receipts or bills to account for the checks. Surveillance video from MidFlorida confirmed Shirah deposited the three checks written to her husband.
Shirah was booked into the Polk County jail Sept. 7. Bond is set at $16,000.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
THE BAD CHECKS
• $625.99: Authorized but altered
• $2,500: Authorized for a school barbecue that never took place
• $375.99: Authorized but altered
• $3,500: Authorized but altered
• $3,500: Forged document for a school function that never took place
• $3,500: Forged document
• $2,000: Forged document
• $325.75: Not authorized
• $350.75: Not authorized“>http://nappi-training.com/vtb-raschetniy-schet-dlya-ip.php