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Amanda Butterfield ReportingThe Weber School District Foundation reacts to an investigation that one of their employees was embezzling money taking tens of thousands of donated dollars.
Bryan Benard, Weber School District Foundation: "Make no mistake, the foundation and its lawyers will do everything possible to recover all funds that have been embezzled."
The missing money was uncovered a few weeks ago. We first told you about this last night at 10:00 and this morning, Weber School District investigators held a news conference.
It's the Weber School District Foundation that is allegedly missing the money. We learned that over a period of five years up to $900,000 was embezzled.
Nate Taggart, Weber School District: "Our investigation revealed that the foundation secretary had been writing checks to her personal accounts and forging the signatures. At that point, a call was made to the Weber County Sheriffs Office, and that employee was terminated."
In November, the board and the Foundation started noticing that their budget was a little bit over, they were missing some money. So just a few weeks ago they took that information to the Sherrif's Department and the investigation began.
The Weber School District Foundation is a non-profit organization that that funds special projects for students that the district or school wouldn't normally be able to pay for. The money also goes to help students with disabilities.
The fund pays for things like a bike for Chandler Zaugg, who has a form of cerebral paulsey, making his muscles weak. But his bike keeps him strong.
Chandler Zaugg: "Its been a good thing."
All of the Foundation's assets have been frozen. Right now all of that money is being traced to different bank accounts.
The Foundation only has two paid employees, funded by the district--one being the secretary, the other a director. The rest of the board is made up entirely of volunteers.
Becuase this investigation is on-going, we could learn that even MORE money was taken, and once the investigation is complete we'll be able to find exactly where the money was taken from.
No charges or arrests have yet been made. This is still an ongoing investigation.
