Maple Heights High School Secretary Indicted for Stealing Over $40,000 in School Funds
5/5/2020
CLEVELAND – Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that a Cuyahoga County Grand Jury has indicted Karla Hopkins, 49, for stealing over $40,000 in school funds while working as a secretary at Maple Heights High School.
“This individual stole from the students she was employed to assist,” said Prosecutor O’Malley. “These disgraceful actions require that she be schooled in the criminal justice system.”
Between July 2017 and June 2018, Hopkins embezzled money from various programs, some of which included:
•
Class of 2018 dues and yearbook fees
•
Auto Tech funds
•
Student Council funds
•
Flag-drill team funds
•
Books and ID badge fines
In her role, she was responsible for collecting dues, revenues, and fees from individuals in charge of the various programs. Upon intake, she was responsible for issuing them a copy of the receipt and recording the transaction in a log before the money was transported to the district’s main office and eventually deposited into a school account.
In May 2018, the Maple Heights Police Department (MHPD) responded to the Maple Heights Board of Education for a report of theft after the school district’s treasurer noticed a large amount of money was missing from the senior class fund. Further investigation by the MHPD, Maple Heights City School District, and State Auditor’s Office linked Hopkins to the crime.
Hopkins has been indicted on one count of Theft In Office – a felony of the 3rd degree. She will be arraigned at a later date.