State audit details Cedar Rapids schools embezzlement; officials to respond today

A former accounting clerk with the Cedar Rapids School District misappropriated more than $587,000 in district funds, an investigation released this morning by the state auditor reveals.

The district requested the investigation in August 2009 after learning of allegations made by a confidential informant against Jamie May, the district's former accounts receivable clerk. May was placed on leave in August 2009 after admitting some misappropriations to district officials. She was terminated about three weeks later, and died of breast cancer complications in November.

May was facing a charge of first-degree theft in Linn County District Court, but the charge was dismissed following her death.

The special investigation completed by the state auditor identified $587,784 in misappropriated funds from the district's registration, psychiatric, and transportation funds. It is likely additional misappropriated collections would have been identified if sufficient records were available, state auditor David Vaudt said in a news release.

District officials have scheduled a 1 p.m. news conference to discuss the results and additional steps being taken as a result of the investigation.

RELATED:

• Feb. 28, 2010:
• Jan. 27, 2010:
• Sept. 1, 2009:

RELATED:

• Feb. 28, 2010: Cedar Rapids school district hires accounting supervisor
• Jan. 27, 2010: School district puts up safeguards to prevent another theft
• Sept. 1, 2009: Former Cedar Rapids school employee charged with stealing from district

Cedar Rapids Schools Audit