Adams County Teachers Fired Over Theft Of Bingo Money
NORTHGLENN, Colo. (CBS4) - Adams 12 Five Star Schools have fired two longtime teachers who are accused of stealing money intended for school trips.
Pam Trujillo had taught at Northglenn Middle School for 16 years, her husband, Johnny Trujillo had been in the district for 14 years. They are accused of taking money from bingo fundraisers for their own use.
The district says $25,000 was missing when it conducted an internal audit. That audit found some of the money raised for a trip to New York two years ago went to the Trujillo family and friends.
It also concluded some of the bingo money had been used to make a down payment on a trip to Rome.
The bingo games were held at Hollywood Bingo in Wheat Ridge. One of the co-owners, Jan Kissell, told CBS4 Investigator Rick Sallinger the Trujillos stole from the business.
"It kind of hurts that possibly someone was stealing money from the kids," Kissell said. "Then it turn it got stolen from us."
Kissell said the Trujillos essentially snuck out the back door, owning the bingo parlor $14,000.
Sallinger caught up with Pam Trujillo and asked her about the allegations and she said she could not talk about them. He also asked about the rent money Hollywood Bingo says it is owned.
"I'm not going to answer any questions right now," was her reply.
According to documents, the district fired Pam Trujillo for insubordination and immorality. Her husband was also fired despite the recommendations of a hearing officer.
"We hold our kids accountable; we have them expelled for their behavior. I think the same rules apply for everybody," said Mark Clark, the president of the Adams 12 School Board.
The Trujillos have accepted responsibility for the theft of funds from the school and are in a diversion program. That means if they stay clean, the charges will not appear on their record. Their attorneys would not comment but the district could get some money back.
