Former Ira ISD Superintendent Dr.
Larry Devitt has been formally charged
with mail fraud in connection to his use
of a school credit card and vendors.
Federal court records were released Thursday by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Lubbock Division.
The U.S. Department of Education took over the five-year investigation in April 2011. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) asked the federal department to take over the investigation.
Court records show that Devitt used school district vendors as well as credit cards to purchase property which was for "his personal benefit and not for legitimate (school district) goods, work-related expenses, including supplies, travel, staff development and training." The total was $13,438.49.
The records also note that on or about July 12, 2007, Devitt executed the scheme by mail when a check from the Ira school district account was mailed to pay a Visa bill totaling $2,792.49.
A TEA audit found that Devitt charged almost $60,000 worth of personal items on a school credit card and billed the district for overtime and use of his personal equipment.
TEA auditors reviewed the district's credit card statements from January 2003 to April 2008 and found charges to PayPal for personal items totaling $13,500.14.
Alleged personal charges made on the district's credit cards while conducting personal business in Oklahoma and Missouri totaled $17,190.90. The audit also revealed charges to McMurray Hatchery and Stromberg Chicks and Gamebirds Unlimited totaling $928.40.
The remaining money ($790.75) was for items appearing to be for personal use, the TEA audit stated. It also noted that Devitt reimbursed the district more than $25,000.
Federal court records were released Thursday by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Lubbock Division.
The U.S. Department of Education took over the five-year investigation in April 2011. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) asked the federal department to take over the investigation.
Court records show that Devitt used school district vendors as well as credit cards to purchase property which was for "his personal benefit and not for legitimate (school district) goods, work-related expenses, including supplies, travel, staff development and training." The total was $13,438.49.
The records also note that on or about July 12, 2007, Devitt executed the scheme by mail when a check from the Ira school district account was mailed to pay a Visa bill totaling $2,792.49.
A TEA audit found that Devitt charged almost $60,000 worth of personal items on a school credit card and billed the district for overtime and use of his personal equipment.
TEA auditors reviewed the district's credit card statements from January 2003 to April 2008 and found charges to PayPal for personal items totaling $13,500.14.
Alleged personal charges made on the district's credit cards while conducting personal business in Oklahoma and Missouri totaled $17,190.90. The audit also revealed charges to McMurray Hatchery and Stromberg Chicks and Gamebirds Unlimited totaling $928.40.
The remaining money ($790.75) was for items appearing to be for personal use, the TEA audit stated. It also noted that Devitt reimbursed the district more than $25,000.
