Auditor returns $50,000 in embezzled funds to Meridian public schools

Published 9:36 pm Thursday, March 30, 2006

State Auditor Phil Bryant presented a check for $50,000 to the Meridian Public School District Board Thursday during a special called meeting at Central Office.

The check represents the amount recovered so far by the State Auditor’s Office in the investigation and subsequent conviction of Judy Radcliff, former principal of West End Elementary School.

Radcliff was convicted of leading a conspiracy to embezzle Title I federal funds and local grants between April 2000 and January 2003. The deception came in the form of false education consultants and the providing of school supplies that did not really exist.

“This is like church money, over $200,000 that was basically stolen from the children of Meridian Public School District,” Bryant said.

School Superintendent Sylvia Autry said the recovered money will be used for its intended purpose: “We will use the money for improving the reading performance among our youngest learners.”

On Sept. 9, 2005, Radcliff pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convert public money. The following December, U.S. District Judge Tom Lee sentenced her to 30 months in prison, three years probation and $217,505 in restitution.

The $50,000 was obtained from Radcliff’s bonding company.

“Radcliff had an honesty bond and, in case something like this happened, the bonding company would pay at least $50,000 — which they did,” Bryant said.

Also sentenced with Radcliff were co-conspirators Sandra Todd, Joycelyn Wilson and Tammy Davis. Both Todd and Wilson received prison sentences, while Davis was given probation. Restitution was also ordered in each case.

“We want to deter this from ever happening again and nothing is a better deterrent than swift and sure punishment,” Bryant said.

“We want people to know that money designated to children and for their school district, to us, has a higher value. And we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that it’s accountable and that no one abuses this system.”

In addition to lost funds for educational programs for the local school district, Bryant said, there is an even greater tragedy to the embezzlement case.

“The sad part is the loss of innocence for the children at her (Radcliff’s) school,” he said. “To have your principal involved in a crime such as this must be devastating for these children and their parents. And that’s worse than stealing the money.”

Fred Wile, president of the school board, said the funds will enable school district officials to put the matter behind them.

“We now can press on with the mission at hand — educating the children,” Wile said.