State audit shows former school official stole from TPS
Investigation reveals $660,000 swindle
A report released Thursday indicates that former Toledo Public Schools Business Manager Daniel Burns stole $660,000 from TPS between 2001 and 2007.
The audit performed by the office of Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor was released, showing that Burns paid for purchases of goods and services which were never delivered.
Burns worked for Toledo Public Schools for 30 years, before leaving in December, 2008 to take the same business manager position with the Cleveland Public School District. Burns was indicted last year for allegedly pulling the same scam there, costing the Cleveland Schools about $180,000.
The audit found that Burns would order copiers and printing supplies from Toledo-based Superior Offset Supplies. The purchases would also include service contracts. The bills were paid by Toledo Public Schools, but the supplies and services were never delivered. Investigators allege Burns and his co-conspirators shared the ill-gotten gains.
Toledo Public Schools Superintendent John Foley told TIN Thursday that the system's employees are bonded, and that TPS expects to get most, if not all of the money returned. He added that the funds were stolen from the Capital Improvements budget. So while the theft did not affect payroll or operations, it did make less money available for purchases of fixtures and equipment for schools.
The Lucas County Prosecutor's office is still investigating Burns' activities while he was employed by the Toledo Public Schools, and is not saying if or when they will seek a criminal indictment here.
Investigation reveals $660,000 swindle
A report released Thursday indicates that former Toledo Public Schools Business Manager Daniel Burns stole $660,000 from TPS between 2001 and 2007.
The audit performed by the office of Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor was released, showing that Burns paid for purchases of goods and services which were never delivered.
Burns worked for Toledo Public Schools for 30 years, before leaving in December, 2008 to take the same business manager position with the Cleveland Public School District. Burns was indicted last year for allegedly pulling the same scam there, costing the Cleveland Schools about $180,000.
The audit found that Burns would order copiers and printing supplies from Toledo-based Superior Offset Supplies. The purchases would also include service contracts. The bills were paid by Toledo Public Schools, but the supplies and services were never delivered. Investigators allege Burns and his co-conspirators shared the ill-gotten gains.
Toledo Public Schools Superintendent John Foley told TIN Thursday that the system's employees are bonded, and that TPS expects to get most, if not all of the money returned. He added that the funds were stolen from the Capital Improvements budget. So while the theft did not affect payroll or operations, it did make less money available for purchases of fixtures and equipment for schools.
The Lucas County Prosecutor's office is still investigating Burns' activities while he was employed by the Toledo Public Schools, and is not saying if or when they will seek a criminal indictment here.
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