Woman Accused of PTO Theft

(Lakeville, Minnesota) The 45-year-old treasurer of the Oak Hills Elementary School parent-teacher organization, Lisa Miller, has been accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the school.

For two years, the books were balanced, but in October 2008, prosecutors say, the Lakeville mother began used the PTO bank account as her own personal overdraft protection. She transferred $45,500 into her family’s checking account.

“She was using some of these funds form the PTO organization to a basically pay for some personal items that she needed to pay for -- and didn’t have access to enough money in her own accounts at that particular time,” said Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom.

According to court documents, the Miller family was in financial trouble. They owed tens of thousands in credit card bills and were borrowing money from family. Miller, who is a former bank vice president, used school funds to go on a trip to Disney World and make a donation to a golf fundraiser.

Miller also allegedly obtained a debit card on the PTO account for personal expenses.