COLUMBUS, Ohio — A former business manager at a Columbus charter school diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars in public school payments into her own accounts, and a state audit has now put the full price tag on the scheme: findings for recovery totaling more than $480,000 against Michelle Scott, a former employee of Westside Academy in Columbus’ Hilltop neighborhood, 614Now reported from the Ohio Auditor of State’s audit.
The Auditor of State issued findings for recovery of more than $480,000 against Scott, including more than $363,000 already ordered as criminal restitution, plus more than $116,000 in improper tuition reimbursements and tax penalties and interest, according to 614Now’s report of the audit.
The criminal case is already decided. Scott pleaded guilty in March to second-degree felony theft, 614Now reported, and was sentenced in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas to a minimum of four years and a maximum of six years in prison, followed by mandatory post-release control lasting between 18 months and three years…