[US] Payroll investigation at Louisiana charter school following principal and four employees’ removal

In the US, the Lafayette Police Department in Lafayette, Louisiana, is investigating alleged payroll fraud at Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy’s lower campus, which has already led to the removal of its principal and four employees, The Current reports.

A March 30 letter to the state auditor and district attorney from Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) - which provides management services to LRCA’s governing entity - revealed that an internal investigation by the charter school uncovered “possible falsification of time records, improper payroll entry, and unauthorised compensation payments.” 

The school also reported its findings to local law enforcement.

Speaking to The Current, the Lafayette Police Department’s public information officer, Sergeant Robin Green, said, “The investigation is nearing a conclusion, and the school has been fully cooperative.”

The March CSUSA letter - which was obtained from the charter school system through a public records request - reportedly showed that the investigation was prompted by irregular payroll activity involving substitute teachers. 

“Although the investigation is still in its preliminary stages and no final determinations have been made, CSUSA has identified sufficient indicators to warrant notifying your office of potential payroll-related irregularities involving the use of public funds,” the letter states.

Charter schools in Louisiana receive taxpayer funding based largely on student enrollment. However, they are operated independently of traditional public school districts. 

According to the letter, four employees were placed on administrative leave on March 28. A school spokesperson subsequently confirmed that the staff members were no longer employed by the school.

The letter states that an initial review of payroll and timecard records found “repetitive and uniform substitute time entries,” changes to timecards made by managers that raised suspicions, and work schedules that were inconsistent with two employees’ enrollment at colleges out of the area during the academic year. 

In addition, the review found significant bonus and stipend payments to administrative personnel while documentation of the scope of work, authorisation, and approvals remained under review.

Source: The Current

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the US, the Lafayette Police Department in Lafayette, Louisiana, is investigating alleged payroll fraud at Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy’s lower campus, which has already led to the removal of its principal and four employees, The Current reports.

A March 30 letter to the state auditor and district attorney from Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) - which provides management services to LRCA’s governing entity - revealed that an internal investigation by the charter school uncovered “possible falsification of time records, improper payroll entry, and unauthorised compensation payments.” 

The school also reported its findings to local law enforcement.

Speaking to The Current, the Lafayette Police Department’s public information officer, Sergeant Robin Green, said, “The investigation is nearing a conclusion, and the school has been fully cooperative.”

The March CSUSA letter - which was obtained from the charter school system through a public records request - reportedly showed that the investigation was prompted by irregular payroll activity involving substitute teachers. 

“Although the investigation is still in its preliminary stages and no final determinations have been made, CSUSA has identified sufficient indicators to warrant notifying your office of potential payroll-related irregularities involving the use of public funds,” the letter states.

Charter schools in Louisiana receive taxpayer funding based largely on student enrollment. However, they are operated independently of traditional public school districts. 

According to the letter, four employees were placed on administrative leave on March 28. A school spokesperson subsequently confirmed that the staff members were no longer employed by the school.

The letter states that an initial review of payroll and timecard records found “repetitive and uniform substitute time entries,” changes to timecards made by managers that raised suspicions, and work schedules that were inconsistent with two employees’ enrollment at colleges out of the area during the academic year. 

In addition, the review found significant bonus and stipend payments to administrative personnel while documentation of the scope of work, authorisation, and approvals remained under review.

Source: The Current

(Quotes via original reporting)