Florida Teacher Gets Jail for Grand Theft - Update

(Tallahassee, Florida) Last August, former teacher Tammy Bennett pleaded guilty to grand theft for stealing money from Chiles High School.

This week, Bennett was sentenced.

Auditors estimate she cost the school district close to $200,000.

At her sentencing Tuesday afternoon, the judge sentenced Bennett to 11 months and 29 days in jail and ordered her to pay back an amount just short of $157,000 between Leon County Schools and a yearbook insurance company.

"We're relieved to finally have resolution in this case and a satisfactory verdict as well as relief for the schools, so that they can regain some of the money that is well-needed out there to continue the many programs they have," said John Hunkiar, chief of safety, security and emergency management for Leon County Schools.

Bennett was also ordered to get a job and start paying back the money owed within 30 days after release from jail.

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Florida Teacher Accused of Grand Theft
[Previous 8/27/11 post]
(Tallahassee, Florida) A 52-year-old English teacher at Chiles High School, Tammy Bennett, was arrested yesterday for allegedly stealing $150,000 from the school's yearbook fund.

Bennett faces charges of grand theft and conspiracy to defraud.

An internal audit led to a criminal investigation earlier this summer. Bennett was placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.

Bennett was booked into custody at the Leon County Jail.

Interesting. Who knew that a school's yearbook account contained so much cash?