CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) -
A warrant that was briefly issued for the two women who were indicted for
stealing from an Over-the-Rhine school has been recalled.
Lisa Hamm and Stephanie Millard are both facing 26 counts of theft in
office, tampering with records, tampering with evidence and unauthorized use of
property for taking property from the Ohio Department of Education and/or the
Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy.
The indictment comes after an investigation by the state auditor's office.
The pair were scheduled to appear in Hamilton County court on Friday
morning. Neither showed up so the judge issued a warrant for their arrests.
Attorney Mike Allen tells FOX19 that his clients didn't receive any notice
that they were due in court.
The defense and prosecution came to an agreement to withdraw the warrant and
their case has been moved to Friday, April 22.
According to the indictment that was filed in Hamilton County, the incidents
took place from October 2006 until February of this year. Hamm is accused of
taking more than 20 trips with staff and family members, some for training
purposes but most for "best practice visits," and spending way over
the allotted fund amounts approved by the board. Millard, the school's
contracted treasurer, paid each month's credit card bills without the knowledge
of board members.
The alleged misspent money totals more than $148,000.
Court documents state that among Hamm's trips was a $20,000, 10-day tour
through California which covered expenses such as a rental car with a hired
drivers, expensive meals and hotel stays above and beyond what was required for
her training in San Diego. On other occasion, Hamm was supposed to make visits
to Chicago charter schools but attended a Tina Turner concert instead. Hamm
also coordinated a trip to Boston to see Oprah Winfrey and took a sight seeing
tour of Europe when the purpose of her trip was to fulfill residency
requirements for her doctorate program.
According to the school's website, Hamm is the superintendent, founder and
developer of the school, which opened in 1999. The school has an enrollment of
700 students in grades K-12.
Hamm has been suspended without pay.
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