ALEXANDRIA, VA – A former principal in the Fairfax County Public Schools district has been arrested and charged with embezzlement, Fairfax police announced Wednesday.
Darin Thompson, 51, of Lorton, the former principal of Hayfield Secondary School, was arrested on Wednesday. Fairfax County Police Department investigators say Thompson used nearly $8,000 in school funds for unauthorized personal expenses.
According to a Fairfax County police release, detectives launched an investigation into Thompson in April after getting a tip about potential fraudulent use of school-issued payment cards. Investigators say Thompson used the cards to pay for personal travel and event expenses that weren't related to his official duties.
Thomas has been with FCPS since 2023. He spent two years as principal at Alexandria's Hayfield Secondary School and left in September 2025 to become senior administrator for nontraditional school programs in the county, a position now listed as vacant.
Fairfax police say Thomas was placed on leave "after FCPS became aware of the allegations" and is now suspended.
Thompson turned himself in to police on Wednesday and was released on a $3,000 unsecured bond. He is set to be arraigned on Oct. 8.
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