Norton Woman Pleads Guilty to Stealing $86,000 from Hingham School

HINGHAM, MA – A Norton women and former business manager of Derby Academy in Hingham admitted to stealing money from the school.

Lyn Mitchell, 40, pleaded guilty today to three counts of larceny over $250 by common plan or scheme, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney's office. Brockton Superior Court Judge Cornelius J. Moriarty placed her on probation for two years and ordered her to pay restitution of $10,500, the balance of funds not recovered by Derby Academy.

Mitchell worked at Derby Academy since 1997 and served as the assistant business manager and business manager from January 2012 through December 2013. The school was alerted to the theft after a staffer noticed personal charges on the school's credit card. An extensive audit and investigation of the school's financial records discovered that Mitchell stole about $86,000 in total from the school from 2012-2013. Approximately $65,000 was in cash and the rest was from the school credit card, according to the District Attorney's office.

The investigation found that Mitchell achieved this by stealing personal loans and cash advances to purchase computers, currency and improperly using the Derby Academy credit card without paying the sums back.

A representative from Derby Academy told the court that some of the money taken was from school tuition payments and charitable fundraisers by students for organizations like The One Fund and charities supporting the fight against cancer and hunger.

Information in this article was provided by the Plymouth County District Attorney's office..