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Ex-Arlington Hts. PTA president charged with theft

A former president of the South Middle School PTA in Arlington Heights is charged with stealing money from the group she was responsible for managing, officials said.

Denise Hoppe, 48, was arrested Thursday on one count of theft greater than $500, but less than $10,000, and one count of forgery, Arlington Heights police said Tuesday. Both charges are felonies.

Hoppe is accused of using checks from the PTA's account inappropriately, police said.

Police had been investigating the case since June when someone from South Middle School's PTA alerted authorities that something appeared wrong with the group's financial records, police said.

"The PTA has checks and balances in place and upon review of their books, discrepancies were found and they reported their findings to the Arlington Heights Police Department," said District 25 Superintendent Lori Bein. "The PTA is an entity separate from Arlington Heights School District 25. They have their own PTA bylaws and financial procedures."

Bein said she didn't know how much money was taken or when.

District 25 officials said they cooperated fully with the police investigation.

"District 25 and the PTA greatly appreciate the dedication of the PTA volunteer members and their commitment to the children of District 25," Bein said.

Hoppe had been employed by the village of Arlington Heights for the past few years, making less than $25,000, officials said. She worked in a police department-run program that employs citizens to keep an eye on village parks during evening hours and call police in case of suspicious activity.

Bail for Hoppe was set at $25,000, according to records from her Friday court appearance in Rolling Meadows. She is scheduled to return to court Sept. 30.

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