Gila Bend Unified School District—Criminal Indictment—Conspiracy, Fraudulent Schemes, Misuse of Public Monies, and Theft

As part of their responsibility to prevent and detect fraud, Gila Bend Unified School District (District) officials took appropriate action by reporting to us alleged financial misconduct by former District employees Margaret Perry, secretary, and her daughter Lindsey Fernandez, accounts payable clerk. Our investigation revealed that from June 2019 through August 2019, they may have participated in unauthorized Amazon purchases totaling $1,476. We have submitted our report to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, which on May 31, 2023, presented evidence to the State Grand Jury. The action resulted in Ms. Perry and Ms. Fernandez each being indicted on 4 felony counts related to conspiracy, fraudulent schemes, misuse of public monies, and theft.