School Official Charged With Stealing From Students

Affadavit: Thomas Jefferson High employee gambled -- and lost

Police have arrested a former employee at a Fairfax County magnet school for allegedly stealing money to fund a gambling habit.

Embezzlement charges were filed Friday against Susan Litwin of Woodbridge, Va
 
Federal prosecutors said she stole almost $280,000 over the past two years from Thomas Jefferson High School in Fairfax County. Prosecutors said she used the money to pay for gambling trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
 
Court records indicate she also allegedly stated the theft was a result of extensive credit card debt and large mortgage payments on her home.

The money allegedly came out of a school activities fund that she managed.

“These are difficult financial times for many public institutions, and an employee who breaks that trust needs to be held accountable,” said Neil MacBride, United States attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
 
According to the court papers, Litwin was hired as a finance technician for Thomas Jefferson H.S. in January 2007. 
 
She was responsible for receiving and depositing funds from various sources. Those funds were supposed to be used to support student athletics, classes, and clubs at the nation's top magnet school
 
Starting in March 2008, Litwin allegedy wrote checks to herself, in amounts ranging from $2,500 to $35,000, and deposited the funds in her personal bank account. Fairfax County school officials say she resigned from her position earlier this week.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
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