PTA treasurer accused of stealing over $16K from school | Crime

Lakeland, Florida -- A PTA treasurer for a Lakeland elementary school has been charged with defrauding over $16,000 in funds.

Lakeland Police detectives say there are nine checks in question--three of which were deposited into Lisa Shirah's account and six others that were endorsed and cashed by her--totaling $16,678 during her time with Springhead Elementary's PTA.

Shirah has been charged with 2 counts of Theft of Personal Identification Information, 6 counts of Forgery, 6 counts of Uttering Forged Instrument, Grand Theft and Scheming to Defraud.

Authorities say Shirah was President of the school's PTA from October 2011 until January 2012. At that time, she became the Treasurer for the PTA until July 26, 2012.