Police say the former president of a parent-teacher organization at an elementary school in Buffalo Grove has been charged with stealing over $10,000 in funds.
The Buffalo Grove Police Department received a report in early September from parent-teacher organization (PTO) executive board members in District 96.
The board members discovered improper use of the organization’s assets, according to police officials.
The PTO officials reported that the former president of the PTO at Prairie Elementary School had overseen the management of the assets during the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
The former president was identified as Megan Robin, 43, of Buffalo Grove.
The members discovered over $10,000 of the funds were improperly used during the time period and requested police to investigate.
Police investigators discovered Robin stole the funds instead of depositing them following fundraising sales and auctions, police officials said.
Investigators also discovered Robin made several unauthorized withdrawals from the organization’s bank account, officials said.
Robin additionally allegedly used the organization’s debit card for personal use.
Investigators interviewed Robin at the Buffalo Grove Police Department on Wednesday.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and charges were approved for theft, a Class 2 felony.
In a statement from the PTO, the organization said they have taken additional steps to strengthen their policies and add additional oversight to protect funds.
“We are shocked and saddened that any parent volunteer would take advantage of their position to divert funds from their intended purpose for personal benefit. We have cooperated fully with the Buffalo Grove Police in their investigation and plan to pursue every legal option to assure full restitution of the funds to be properly used to benefit the Prairie School community,” the statement said.
Robin was released from custody and ordered to appear in court on November 29.