Dundee-Crown audit turned over to police

An audit of a Dundee-Crown High School fund that may be missing more than $100,000 now is in the hands of Carpentersville police.

Last week, District 300's forensic auditor finished auditing records from MidAmerica Bank, which held the account, district Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates said.

The auditor turned over the results of the audit to police, who are looking into whether $100,000 was stolen from Dundee-Crown's student activity fund, Crates said.

Crates would not comment on the audit's findings because of the police investigation, but she has said the auditor's initial investigation turned up evidence that funds were mishandled.

The police investigation, which was waiting on the completion of the forensic audit, will determine the district's next move, Crates said.

"If there is theft, we can go to the insurance company to get reimbursed," Crates said.

Carpentersville police did not return multiple calls seeking comment.

The investigation was able to make progress because MidAmerica Bank turned over documents showing deposits into the student activity fund -- after the district sought a court order to get the documents.

The district's forensic auditor still is waiting on bank statements, federal income tax returns, deposit slips and canceled checks from the secretary who oversaw the student activity fund from May 2004 to April 2006, Crates said.

These records are the final piece of the investigation. The court order District 300 is seeking also asks for the secretary's financial documents, court records show. A hearing on the court order is set for Nov. 13.

The district's insurance company, Gallagher Bassett Services, launched the forensic audit in July 2006 to investigate the district's claim that $100,000 was missing.

The audit could cost as much as $15,000 when it is complete, but Gallagher will refund the cost if the money was stolen, Crates has said.

On April 28, 2006, the secretary at Dundee-Crown overstated the balance in the student activity fund by $100,672.54, according to court records.

The district removed her from her oversight of the account and assigned her to another post on May 5, 2006, according to a police report.

The secretary resigned two days later, citing medical reasons, police records show.