Newton PTO Treasurer Pleads Guilty To Stealing $14K, Sentenced

NEWTON, MA — The former treasurer of the Newton Parent Teacher Organization Council pleaded guilty in court Thursday in connection with stealing more than $14,000 from the Newton PTO Council, according to Attorney General Maura Healey's office.

Rebeca Craig, 37, of Boston, pleaded guilty in Suffolk Superior Court to presentation of false claims (11 counts), making a false statement to the tax commissioner (11 Counts), submitting a false insurance claim (3 counts), forgery (1 count), and larceny over $250 (2 counts).

She was sentenced by Judge Robert Tochka to a year and a half in the House of Corrections, followed by two years of probation with several requirements including that she pay restitution and perform community service.

On March 4, Craig pleaded guilty to Larceny over $250 (1 count) in Middlesex Superior Court and was sentenced by Judge Kathe Tuttman to two years in the House of Corrections, with one year to serve and the remaining balance suspended for three years.

Craig was accused of participating in a scheme to steal tens of thousands of dollars by making false insurance claims and providing incorrect information on her tax refunds.

While the individual PTOs and the PTO council operates separately from Newton Public Schools and maintain their own non-profit status, Superintendent David Fleishman said he attends several meetings a year to present a superintendent's report to the organization, but is not part of the group's deliberations.

Fleishman told Patch in August that he heard about the allegations in 2014, and said the district cooperated with the Attorney General's investigation, as is regular practice.

Fleishman said the council has since worked to prevent something like this from happening in the future.

The Attorney General's office said Craig, who served as the Treasurer for the Newton PTO Council from 2013 to 2014, funneled $14,593 from the organization to her own personal accounts.

According to the AG's offices, between 2013 through 2018 Craig engaged in various fraudulent schemes and thefts. Several of her alleged schemes involved the submission of falsified or altered documents in support of insurance claims, according to the AG. In addition, the AG's Office alleges that Craig submitted falsified tax returns, resulting in her receipt of tax refunds totaling $11,318, to which she was not entitled.

The Newton PTO Council, which is separate from the district and is its own non profit, is governed by an executive board which is elected each spring. Members advocate on behalf of schools and children, according to the website.

In addition to dues, each year there's a crafts sale with proceeds donated to the Newton Schools Foundation to benefit all Newton schools.

The treasurer is responsible for the accounts of all funds of PTO Council. They provide regular reports of its finances, prepare the annual budget, prepares filings for federal and state agencies, and assists other Committees as needed relating to financial activity and information. They also oversee data gathering for PTO spending for all schools and prepares related analyses, according to the PTO website.

In April 2014, Craig reported there was $15,428.78 in the PTO account.

"There was an incident with the PTOC Treasurer this past year," reads a note in the minutes of a meeting the following year.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna)

Previously: Newton PTO Treasurer Stole $14K: Indictment