Ex-Mahwah Parent Group Treasurer Accused Of Spending Its Funds: Complaint

MAHWAH, NJ — A former treasurer of a Mahwah parent group stands accused of stealing cash meant to fund local student activities and spending it on herself, according to local school officials, prosecutors and court records.

Kerry Stumbo, 50, of Mahwah, faces criminal charges linked to misappropriated funds from the Lenape Meadows Elementary School Home School Organization, according to a criminal complaint filed in Bergen County Superior Court.

The complaint contends Stumbo cut herself a $1,500 check and took the group's debit card to gas stations, pharmacies and Starbucks.

Mahwah Public School District superintendent Dr. Michael DeTuro alerted the community of the charges Thursday in a letter reviewed by Patch.

"(The) actions appear to be of an individual and should not be a reflection of the HSO leadership as a whole," DeTuro wrote.

"(The district does) not want the actions of one individual to deter you from your participation in any of our schools’ HSOs."

Stumbo was charged after an internal audit found discrepancies in the financial records of the organization, which raises funds for school and student activities, DeTuro said in the letter.

"The HSO brought their findings to the Mahwah Police Department for an investigation," DeTuro added.

DeTuro noted the group does not handle the school's operating budget.

A downloadable document on the elementary school's website shows the group hosts fundraisers — its largest is an October Walk-A-Thon — to raise cash for assemblies, field trips, "Family Night" and "Science Day."

Stumbo arrested in November and charged with third-degree theft by unlawful taking or exercising control over property, court records show.

The Mahwah woman appeared in court on Dec. 2 and her case was remanded to Central Municipal Court Bergen County, a county prosecutor's office spokesperson said.

In his letter, DeTuro assured parents that student activities would continue to receive funding.

"We are working to be sure that any funds raised to support student activities will continue to be available for that purpose," DeTuro said. "The student experiences that are scheduled or planned will continue."