Former Van Wert teacher to pay over $13,000 in restitution

VAN WERT, Ohio (WANE) - A former Van Wert city school teacher pleaded guilty to charges of forging financial documents, misusing school property, and stealing money from a yearbook fund.

Sandra Adams was an advisor for the Van Wert High School yearbook from 2008 to 2012. According to court documents, an audit was launched after an unexplained loss of money from the yearbook fund was discovered.

The audit proved there were several unexplained expenditures and missing revenues generated from events such as school “Powderpuff” football games, admissions, concession sales, and jersey sales.

Police said Adams also faked holding a yearbook camp and received reimbursement for costs from the school. Adams provided forged financial documents and fraudulent reimbursement payment requests to the school system. The camps were never attended by students.

Adams also purchased Wal Mart gift cards using the school account and personally used them later. Police said school property, such as cameras and an iPad, were involved with several pawn loan transactions.

Around 100 old yearbooks belonging to the Van Wert City School System were also sold to an online sales business. Police said Adams did not have consent to sell the yearbooks.

Court documents said Adams will pay $13,224 restitution to the Van Wert City School System.