Former Principal Pleads Guilty To Stealing $175K In Parent Contributions: Court

WASHINGTON, DC — Bridget Coates, the former principal of St. Thomas More Catholic School in Southeast, pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing at least $175,000 in parent contributions and funds raised for school-related activities and services, according to a release. She also admitted to using the money for personal reasons, including qualifying for a mortgage.

Coates, a 48-year-old resident of Falls Church, Virginia, admitted that her criminal activities started in 2012 and continued until she resigned in 2018, according to court documents.

As principal, Coates had access to the checking account of the school’s Home School Association, an organization that raised funds and collected contributions from parents for student events and activities. Between June 2012 and December 2017, Coates wrote about 66 unauthorized checks, depositing at least $175,000 in her own bank account, according to court documents.

On Tuesday, Coates pleaded guilty to one charge of wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison, as well as possible financial penalties. She would likely face a sentence of 27 to 33 months and fines of up to $100,000, according to sentencing guidelines. In addition, she has agreed to pay $175,000 in restitution.

Coates is due back in court for sentencing on June 15.