Two school employees indicted on theft charges

February 23, 2022 by Ken Leinart

Two former Anderson County Schools employees were indicted last week by the Anderson County Grand Jury on charges of theft over $10,000 from the school system.

Heather Heatherly, a former office assistant in Anderson County Schools’ Office of Student Services, and Stephanie Jenkins were both charged. Jenkins’ job description and/or title were not listed.

A release from Anderson County District Attorney General Dave Clark’s office said both were charged with theft after a complaint from a merchant who grew concerned “about the types of purchases being made with a government account.”

The Anderson County School System “promptly” reported the matter to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and suspended the employees.

A lengthy investigation involving the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson County School System, the District Attorney General’s office, and the Tennesse Comptroller of the Treasury was then initiated.

The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury report stated Heatherly “used the (school system’s) P-card to make unauthorized purchases totaling at least $23,311, including purses, watches, and other personal items for her own use, enjoyment, and benefit.”

The comptroller report said, “The Office of Student Services uses school funds to purchase food, clothing, and minor household items for students in need. Heatherly purchased the necessary items and began paying for the items using a VISA P-Card in February 2018.”

The comptroller’s report alleges Heatherly made unauthorized purchases in the period from February 2018 through December 2019.

The report states, “To conceal these misappropriations, Heatherly altered invoices to hide the description of the items and her personal residence as the shipping address. She also used an unauthorized ink stamp to place the Office of Student Services’ director’s signature on purchasing documents.”

Heatherly was suspended without pay from her employment with the school system on Jan. 7, 2020. Her employment was terminated on May 18, 2020.

Jenkins’ name does not appear in the comptroller’s report. The District Attorney General’s Office verified that Jenkins was indicted and charged for the same offenses.

The comptroller’s reports said investigators are also questioning an additional $16,288 in purchases made with the P-card that were not authorized by the office director. Investigators could not determine whether these purchases were used exclusively for the benefit of Anderson County Schools.

Clark said he is pleased with the cooperative efforts of all those involved in investigating the case.

Anderson County Sheriff Russell Barker said, “I am proud of the work of our Criminal Investigation Division for their investigation and arrest in this case. Any theft is a concern, but the involvement of taxpayer money is an even higher concern.”

Anderson County Director of Schools Dr. Tim Parrott said, “When the fraud was discovered, the employees were immediately suspended and ultimately terminated.

“We have worked with the state comptroller and local law enforcement to expose any wrongdoing and have installed safeguards for the future. We are grateful for the help we have received in this case.”

Comptroller Jason Mumpower said in the report, “Our investigators noted that Anderson County Schools must take additional steps to safeguard school funds. These steps include carefully reviewing purchasing documentation, including purchase orders, invoices, and partial delivery reports.

“I’m pleased to note that Anderson County school officials are already taking steps to correct these deficiencies.”

Heatherly and Jenkins were booked into the Anderson County Detention Facility in lieu of $50,000 bond each.

They are set to be arraigned in Anderson County Criminal Court March 4.