LAFAYETTE, La. — A second former Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy employee has been arrested in the school’s payroll fraud investigation.
Marva Williams, 49, who worked as the school’s regional school operations administrator, was booked late Monday on charges of public payroll fraud, theft and forgery. Her arrest follows that of Shameka Bazile, 40, the school’s former administrative assistant, who turned herself in the same night. Jail records show Williams’ bail was set at $4,500 and Bazile’s at $15,000. Both have since been released.
Download the KPEL-FM Mobile App Now
What Investigators Found At Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy
The Lafayette Police Department opened its investigation earlier this year after an internal review at LRCA uncovered what Charter Schools USA described as possible falsification of time records, improper payroll entries and unauthorized compensation payments. Charter Schools USA manages the organization that governs LRCA.
That internal review turned up repetitive substitute time entries, timecard changes made by managers and work schedules that didn’t match up with two employees attending college outside the area during the school year. Investigators also looked at bonus and stipend payments made to administrative employees to see whether the work behind them was properly documented and approved.
Louisiana charter schools receive taxpayer funding based largely on student enrollment, but they operate independently of traditional public school districts. LRCA’s lower campus sits on Vienne Lane near Pont des Mouton Road and serves students from kindergarten through fourth grade.
Investigation Previously Cost Four Employees Their Jobs
Bazile and Williams were among four employees terminated following the internal review, along with the school’s principal, Clovis Benoit. Benoit was not accused of taking part in the alleged misconduct but held day-to-day oversight of the campus…