Sunnyslope Unified Employee Indicted On Suspicion Of Fraud

TUCSON, AZ — A longtime Sunnyslope Unified School District employee was indicted by a grand jury on the suspicion that she awarded a school district contract to her daughter's company without a competitive bid process and later falsified documents to cover it up.

Joan Katz was indicted on suspicion of felony fraudulent schemes and practices, presentment of false instrument for filing and conflict of interest, according to court documents.

Katz was arraigned in Pima County Superior Court on Friday.

As the former Parents as Teachers Program coordinator for the district, Katz is accused of hiring her daughter’s company, The Souls Nest, on behalf of the district without obtaining competitive bids for the work and without disclosing her conflict of interest.

Katz is also accused of hiring another district employee’s company, G&H Educational Services, without going out for competitive bids.

Katz is additionally accused of submitting false documentation to cover up the lack of a competitive bidding process for both projects, according to court documents.