Ohio High School Secretary Accused Of Stealing $40K: Prosecutors

MAPLE HEIGHTS, OH — A former Maple Heights High School secretary has been indicted for stealing $40,000 in school funds, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley announced. Court documents said the secretary took the money from the following funds: yearbook, student council, drill team, auto tech and more.

Karla Hopkins, 49, was indicted on one count of theft from office, a third-degree felony. Her arraignment has not yet been scheduled.

“This individual stole from the students she was employed to assist,” said O’Malley. “These disgraceful actions require that she be schooled in the criminal justice system.”

Hopkins was responsible for collecting dues, revenues and fees from students and staffers who were in charge of various programs, court documents said. She was then to issue them a receipt recording the transaction before depositing the money into a school account.

In May 2018, the Maple Heights police were asked to investigate a possible theft from the Maple Heights Schools. The district's treasurer noticed money missing from the graduating class' fund, court documents said.

The state auditor's office and Maple Heights linked Hopkins to the theft, prosecutors said.