Eau Gallie High School Bookkeeper Charged in $120,000 Embezzlement

A former bookkeeper in Brevard County was arrested on Wednesday for charges that she embezzled $120,000 from Eau Gallie High School. Patricia Coleman, the former bookkeeper, worked at the school since 1993, according to investigators.

The charges allege that the bookkeeper stole $97,000 over a two-year period and an additional $23,000 from the Cape Coast Conference athletics account. Funds stolen by the bookkeeper were from cash allocated for athletic events, with many funds raised by students at the high school.

The school remained in the dark about the embezzlement until they were tipped off by a rodeo group that Coleman also worked with. Deputies allege that Coleman used the misappropriated funds for lavish vacations.

Brevard County Public School District's chief financial officer, Pennie Zuercher, released a statement affirming that the district will reimburse the missing funds. Additional funds may be released, depending on the outcome in the criminal case.

The district will take additional measures to prevent future embezzlement.

Coleman is held on a $1 million bond and resigned from her position in September. The school will centralize portions of the accounting, with district headquarters to verify the bookkeeping. Four new accounting staff members will be hired.

The school district will hire an armored car service for all deposits. Accounts for the district will be centralized in one bank.

Coleman is facing 89 accounts of intent to defraud, 6 counts of forgery, 53 counts of uttering a forged check, money laundering charges, 3 counts of criminal use of a personal ID, 19 counts of Grand Theft and Grand Theft over $20,000.

An investigation into the bookkeeper began in August 2016. The All Florida Junior Rodeo Association contacted the school over their concerns that Coleman embezzled money while she was the treasurer of the association.

A former treasurer for two Rodeo associations, Coleman is being charged for embezzling over $50,000 from the associations. Investigators found that Coleman used a series of techniques to avoid detection. Accounts requiring two signatures either had a forged signature or a stamp that sufficed.

Misappropriation of cash from fundraising and athletic contests was deposited into various accounts in small amounts to avoid detection. She is also accused of falsifying receipts for checks that were issued into her own accounts.

Coleman's embezzlement occurred during a two-year period between 2014 and 2015. She had worked for the school district since 1990 and had been the bookkeeper for Eau Gallie High School since 1999.

Christie Burkey Hunt's case provides a similar situation in Brevard County. Hunt, a former office manager, embezzled $500,000 over a two-year period while working for Medical Group. Hunt was sentenced to 15 years in jail.

Hunt used the embezzled money to buy two Audi Q7 autos, rent an upscale home and buy high-end electronics.

Coleman's embezzlement is the first charge on her record. The 50-year-old bookkeeper may face charges of Grand Theft in the first degree. First degree charges, when the theft is in excess of $100,000, carries a maximum fine of $10,000 with up to 30 years in prison.

Florida law dictates that "intent" is required in Grand Theft. The investigation into Coleman found intent, with Coleman using accounting measures to hide her embezzlement.