2 Former CT School Cafeteria Workers Stole $478,000, Cops Say

NEW CANAAN, CT — Two former New Canaan school cafeteria workers - who also happen to be sisters - are being accused of stealing more than $478,000 over a five-year period from the middle and high schools where they worked, according to New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski.

Wilton resident Marie Wilson, 67, of Gaylord Drive, and Stratford resident Joanne Pascarelli, 61, of Delaware Drive, both surrendered to New Canaan police over the weekend after learning of active warrants for their arrests. Wilson formerly worked at New Canaan High School, while her sister, Pascarelli, previously worked at Saxe Middle School.

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The police investigation began on Dec. 21 of last year when the New Canaan Board of Education filed a complaint with polie "that financial discrepancies were discovered with the handling of cash at Saxe Middle School cafeteria and New Canaan High School cafeteria."

At that point, according to Krolikowski, detectives began a "lengthy and involved investigation into the complaints" at the two schools, which included monitoring both cafeteria operations.

During the investigation, detectives interviewed approximately 20 people, including multiple cafeteria workers, examined financial records and other evidence and consulted with the State's Attorney's office in Stamford.

Over time, Wilson and Pascarelli were developed as the suspects in the thefts, which totaled $478,588 from 2012 through 2017.

"While the theft of funds may have occurred before 2012, the investigation did not focus on these years (before 2012) due to direction by the state’s attorney’s office because of statutes of limitation," stated Krolikowski.

School district officials began noticing financial discrepancies in the cash tallies in 2016, and by the end of 2017, they confronted Wilson and Pascarelli about them. Both women resigned from their posts.

In a statement released Monday, New Canaan Schools Superintendent Dr. Bryan Luizzi said the district is "deeply upset by this alleged violation of our trust and the trust of the entire community, and are committed to continuing our full cooperation with the New Canaan Police Department regarding these allegations."

Both were charged with first-degree larceny - defrauding a public community and were each released after posting bonds on bails of $50,000. Wilson is due in Norwalk Superior Court on Aug. 21, Pascarelli on Aug. 24.

Photo: Marie Wilson, left, and Joanne Pascarelli. Photo credit: New Canaan Police Department