Ex-charter school principal to pay $145K, serve prison time
DOVER, Del. (AP) — A former Delaware charter school principal who pleaded guilty to embezzling from the school will have to pay the full sum back and serve just over a year in prison.
News outlets cite a Friday release from the U.S. Department of Justice that says 56-year-old Noel Rodriguez will pay $145,480 in restitution to the Academy of Dover. He pleaded guilty to one count of federal program theft in November 2017.
According to court records, he opened credit cards in the school's name at Home Depot, Lowe's, Sam's Club and Staples, in addition to using the charter school's state-issued procurement card and siphoning money from a state education voucher program. He purchased camping equipment and personal travel, among other things.