Area woman charged after investigation at PCM

An Otley woman has been charged in connection with a special investigation at PCM School District. La Cinda Ranee Van Haaften, 39, of Otley was charged Dec. 4 with first-degree theft and ongoing criminal conduct, after an investigation at PCM School District discovered more than $57,000 in missing funds. The funds were discovered missing during an investigation by Nolte, Cornman & Johnson P.C. of Newton. The investigation was requested by officials with PCM. During the investigation, it was discovered that $57,759.21 of funds were not deposited into the school’s activity account, including $51,614.10 from athletic admissions, $300 from athletic passes, $709 from the fall play, $606 from merchandise resale, $2,105 from football playoff pre-ticket sales, $1,137.11 from two fundraisers, $525 from class dues and $763 from other student collections. The report covers the period of Sept. 1, 2004, through May 31, 2008. Van Haaften started working for the school district in October 2004 as a secretary and became Athletic Director’s Secretary/Activity Account Manager in May 2004, according to a press release from the Monroe Police Department. If convicted, Van Haaften faces up to 10 years in prison and a minimum of a $1,000 fine for the first-degree theft charge and up to 25 years in prison for the ongoing criminal conduct charge. Van Haaften was cited and released to appear in court. A hearing is scheduled for today. The investigation was completed by the Monroe Police Department, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and the Jasper County Attorney’s Office.

Jessica Lowe can be contacted at 792-3121 ext. 426 or via e-mail at jlowe@newtondailynews.com.