Colonia High School Teacher Stole from Students' Graduation Party Fund

Woodbridge, NJ - She stole from a fund set up and run by Colonia High School students, meant to help them throw a drugs- and alcohol-free party in June to celebrate their high school graduation.

Mary Sue Fisco, a 61-year-old former science teacher at Colonia High School, pleaded guilty on December 1, 2015 to taking $1,771 from Project Graduation. Fisco was the teacher who oversaw Project Graduation, which raises money to help graduating seniors attend a safe, alcohol-free party at the end of the school year.

Fisco said she took varying amounts from the fund over time, and used the money to pay for a shed for her son’s home and a flat-screen television.

The Edison resident was sentenced Wednesday to two years probation for the crime. She has since repaid the $1,771, but no longer works as a teacher and is barred from holding any public job in New Jersey.

Two more women sentenced for stealing

Unfortunately, Fisco isn’t the only person who admitted to stealing cash meant for school kids, said Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey.

Just this past Friday, Linda Koche, 47, of Middlesex borough, was sentenced to four-years probation after she admitted taking various amounts of money from the Von E. Mauger Middlesex School PTO while she served as its vice-president.

Koche, who also lost her public job as a cafeteria worker at the school, was banned from future public employment in New Jersey. She was also ordered to repay $1,340.

Michelle Ledesma, 35, also of Middlesex borough, was sentenced on December 22, 2015 after she also confessed to taking $18,582 from the Mauger PTO. She served as treasurer and president, and was a volunteer for the PTO, but not a public employee.

An investigation showed she took the funds to make personal purchases at liquor stores, Amazon, a hardware store and restaurants.

Ledesma was placed on probation for five years and was ordered to repay the money.

All three defendants pleaded guilty after reaching agreements with Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Christine D’Elia.