From July 2009 to September 2011, Jamie Fimbres, former principal’s administrative assistant for Sierra Linda High School
(SLHS), may have violated state laws related to theft, misuse of public monies, and fraud schemes when she embezzled $10,521, according to a special investigation of the Tolleson Union High School District.
The Office of the Auditor General conducted the special investigation of the District for the period July 2009 through September 2011. On December 18, 2014 the Auditor General’s office released the findings and recommendations.
According to the Auditor Generals’ report, Tolleson Union High School District administration took appropriate action by
reporting a fraud allegation to the Auditor General’s Office.
Findings:
Fimbres personally used public monies she deposited in her personal checking account and in a private bank account that SLHS officials erroneously authorized. These officials relied on incorrect instruction from former district administrators that they should account for certain vending machine revenues outside of the District’s accounts.
Regardless, Ms. Fimbres used these monies, along with a school facility rental payment, for her personal benefit.
On December 15, 2014, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office presented evidence of Ms. Fimbres’ alleged crimes to
the State Grand Jury, resulting in her indictment on three felony counts.
The Office performed the investigation to determine the amount of public monies misused, if any, during that period and the extent to which those monies were misused.
The investigation consisted primarily of inquiries and examination of selected financial records and other documentation. Therefore, the investigation was substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Accordingly, the Office does not express an opinion on the adequacy of the financial records or the internal controls of the District. The Office also does not ensure that all matters involving the District’s internal controls, which might be material weaknesses under standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants or other conditions that may require correction or improvement, have been disclosed.