Former PTO President In Ashburn Charged With Embezzlement, Organization Responds

ASHBURN, VA — An Ashburn parent teacher organization president was charged with embezzlement, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office says Kimberly Medina, 43, of Ashburn, was charged with embezzling $83,200 from the Moorefield Station Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization. She was elected PTO president in September 2021 and was removed by the PTO board when the sheriff's office began investigating.

In December 2023, the sheriff's office started its investigation after being contacted by the principal and PTO board members. Authorities believe the embezzlement from February 2023 to September 2023 involved PTO funds for personal use.

The PTO operates separately from the elementary school and Loudoun County Public Schools, meaning no public funds were embezzled. The PTO is a volunteer organization made up of parents, teachers, administrators, and support staff who fundraise and organize initiatives like fifth grade graduation events, after-school enrichment programs and more.

No other PTO member was believed to be involved in the scheme. The sheriff's office said Loudoun County Public Schools and the Moorefield Station Elementary School community cooperated with the investigation.

Medina turned herself in and was released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on her own recognizance.

The Moorefield Station Elementary PTO released a statement thanking the sheriff's office for charging Medina. The organization said they found "financial inconsistencies" in December 2023 and immediately reported them to the sheriff's office and removed Medina from office.

"Since December 2023, the current PTO Executive Committee, its members, and its volunteers–including Moorefield’s Administration, staff, and teachers– have worked tirelessly to recover from these unfortunate circumstances in order to continue to provide for our school, students, teachers and the administration," the organization shared. "We’ve hosted numerous fundraisers, worked with our debtors, and taken corrective measures to ensure this organization operates in a secure and financially sound manner."

"The new PTO Executive Committee began their term starting July 1st, 2024, and they are committed to upholding the bylaws we instituted this past school year," the PTO added.