The former principal of August Ahrens Elementary School accused of financial impropriety was recently served a two-count penal summons complaint, the state attorney general said Friday.
The complaint, filed by the state in July, charges Florentina Smith, 69, of Waipahu with tampering with a government record. She’s scheduled to be arraigned 8:30 a.m. Monday in Ewa District Court.
The state alleges the crimes were committed Nov. 12, 2011, and the following week on Nov. 19, while Smith was serving as principal of the Waipahu public school. The complaint does not provide any details of the alleged crime.
A person commits the offense if he or she knowingly and falsely makes, completes or alters, or knowingly makes a false entry in, a written government record. It is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
The attorney general’s office said the complaint "is merely an allegation … and she is presumed innocent of the charges unless and until she is found guilty by a judge or jury."
Smith had been placed on administrative leave in January 2012 as the state investigated allegations against her. Sources told the Star-Advertiser at the time that Smith was investigated for allegedly directing a teacher to file a per diem reimbursement claim for training that did not occur. It’s not clear how much money was involved.
Smith’s employment with the Department of Education ended in September 2012, a department spokesman said. She had been with the DOE since 1971.
Smith was charged via summons and not arrested on the charges, but must appear in court for her arraignment.
DOE officials set up a fraud-reporting hot line, offered training to help staff quickly spot possible theft and beefed up the department’s internal audit- ing arm.
There have been a number cases tied to financial impropriety at schools:
» In June a former Waianae public charter school office clerk pleaded not guilty in Circuit Court to felony charges that she stole $19,750 from the school.
» In December a former Fern Elementary School secretary was sentenced to a year in jail for stealing nearly $15,000 from the Kalihi school over a 21⁄2-year period.
» In November 2011 a former Waipahu High business manager pleaded guilty in state court to stealing nearly $500,000 from the school over six years.
Also in 2011 a Pearl Ridge Elementary School secretary was sentenced to five years’ probation and 1,500 hours of community service for stealing nearly $70,000 from the school.
In December 2010 a Lehua Elementary School secretary was ordered to perform community service after stealing $13,000 from fundraisers and donations collected for student programs.
