Ex-Edgar County Principals Face Embezzlement Allegations

EDGAR COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Two former principals from the Paris Union School District 95 in Edgar County have faced court proceedings, following their indictment on charges of embezzling funds from a federal program.

According to court documents from the Central District of Illinois, Megan Carroll, who once led Carolyn Wenz Elementary School, and Kyle Shay, the former principal of Mayo Middle School, were each charged with a single count of embezzlement on March 17. The indictment alleges they misappropriated “at least $5,000” from the district.

Previously, the Paris school district was reported to be seeking nearly $750,000 in what was described as ‘missing money.’

The indictment reveals that Carroll and Shay were directly accountable to Jeremy Larson, the district’s former Superintendent. In June 2023, the FBI conducted a raid on Larson’s residence. Additionally, an audit by the Illinois State Board of Education uncovered over $3 million in unauthorized spending of government grants. This prompted the Paris School District to devise a repayment plan for the misused grant funds.

By the close of 2023, Larson and the district reached a “mutual separation” agreement, and the district has since appointed a new permanent superintendent.

“Beginning in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the United States, including Paris, Illinois. Employees of PUSD continued to provide services to students impacted by the pandemic, including delivering school lunches,” the indictment reads.

Employees could apply to be reimbursed for the miles they drove on official business, including lunch delivery.

“PUSD mileage rates were paid in cents per mile driven. In 2020 and 2021, [Carroll and Shay] enriched themselves at PUSD expense by obtaining round-dollar figure checks for ‘milage’ reimbursement in amounts greater than actual miles driven on official business,” the indictment reads.

The indictment indicates that both Carroll and Shay obtained money from PUSD, with the help of Larson, for work in “excess” of what was actually completed in programs funded by federal money. Some of the federal grants included Title I -Low Income, School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Both individuals are scheduled to appear in court again for a jury trial on June 1.

Welcome to Newsfinale Journal

Welcome to Newsfinale Journal

Welcome to Newsfinale Journal

Topics

Read more

Subscribe to Liberty Case

Forever

Recommended

1-Year

1-Month

Topics

Read more

Subscribe to Liberty Case

Forever

Recommended

1-Year

1-Month

Welcome to Newsfinale Journal

Ex-Edgar County Principals Face Embezzlement Allegations

Subscribe for exclusive content