Ex-Phoenixville SD Finance Director Faces Sentencing For Embezzlement

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Federal prosecutors are seeking a jail sentence for Christopher Gehris, former finance director and business manager of the Phoenixville Area School District who pleaded guilty to embezzling $94,613, from the district over a six-year period.

U.S. District Attorney for the Eastern District Jennifer Arbittier Williams is seeking a 10 to 16-month sentence for Gehris, according to a sentencing memorandum filed today.

Gerhis’ attorney, Stephen I. Baer, Phoenixville, is seeking a sentence of probation.

Sentencing is scheduled at 10 a.m. Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Mitchell Goldberg, Philadelphia.

Gehris pleaded guilty on Feb. 2 to embezzling $94,613 from November 2013 to July 2019 while he was serving as the district’s business manager and finance director. He was arrested in December 2021.

The school district has 4,117 students and covers the borough of Phoenixville and East Pikeland and Schuylkill townships.

Gehris, 47, a father of two sons, resigned on Sept. 4, 2019.

He pleaded guilty to embezzling the money that was scheduled to be used for extra curricular activities for students.

Prosecutors said Gehris betrayed the trust of the public and deprived students of the benefits of these funds.

“The court needs to strongly deter those who would consider engaging in this type of criminal behavior,” prosecutors wrote.

Baer asked for a probation sentences, claiming his client is remorseful and plans to repay the money back from his retirement account.

The defense attorney noted that Gehris has no prior criminal record and is attempting to regain his self esteem and become a productive member of society.