PLANO, Texas – A 68-year-old woman has taken responsibility for her part in an embezzlement scheme at Plano Independent School District that netted nearly $7 million in a nine-year-period.
Carol Ann LaRue has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud, and faces up to five years in federal prison, CultureMap Dallas reports.
LaRue, along with two other conspirators, including Kris Wilson Gentz, a manager in the security and fire systems department at Plano ISD, created two dummy companies – Fire System Specialists and Digital Security Solutions – that billed the district invoices. The trio, who ran the scheme from 2004 to 2013, then split the profits, which reportedly totaled $7 million.
There is no evidence that Fire System Specialists or Digital Security Solutions ever provided any services or products to the district.
LaRue was listed as the owner and operator of both companies and pocketed $2.5 million. She admitted to participating in the plot between May 2011 and December 2013.
In April, Gentz, 59, pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy. The third co-conspirator is deceased.
Gentz and LaRue are now awaiting sentencing.
