FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – A former principal of a Catholic school in Pompano Beach faces serious charges after allegedly misappropriating funds over several years. Lori Ann Saint Thomas, 62, who served as a principal for the Archdiocese of Miami, turned herself in and was charged with first-degree grand larceny and fraud.
Saint Thomas is accused of siphoning more than $100,000 through unauthorized transactions, including setting up an illicit bank account to receive additional deposits and inflating her pension fund. The fraudulent activities reportedly spanned nine years, during which she allegedly amassed $238,196 in unauthorized payments.
The allegations have sent shockwaves through the community, particularly at Saint Colman Catholic School, where she held her position. The school’s mission emphasizes moral guidance and a Christ-centered education, making the accusations particularly unsettling for parents and staff.
According to the charge documents, Saint Thomas’s actions involved systematic manipulation of financial records, undermining the institution’s financial integrity. The Archdiocese of Miami confirmed her employment since 1986 but stated her termination occurred last October when the discrepancies were discovered.
The archdiocese has refrained from further comment, citing the ongoing legal proceedings. Saint Thomas voluntarily surrendered at the Broward County Courthouse and was subsequently booked at the county jail.
The case raises questions about oversight within educational institutions and the mechanisms in place to prevent such breaches of trust. The community remains in disbelief as they await further developments in the case.
Investigators are continuing to unravel the extent of the financial misconduct, focusing on how the unauthorized transactions went undetected for so long. The legal process will determine the consequences for Saint Thomas, who now faces the possibility of significant penalties.
As the investigation progresses, the school’s stakeholders are left grappling with the breach of trust by a once-respected leader. The incident underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability in managing educational funds.