Former Ashland City Elementary PTO President Indicted for Theft
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Jessica Tandy, the former PTO President at Ashland City Elementary in Cheatham County. Tandy served as president during the 2020-2021 school year.
Investigators determined that Tandy stole $3,005.70 from the PTO by making unauthorized personal purchases with the PTO’s bank card and by receiving a fraudulent reimbursement.
Tandy’s 42 personal purchases with the PTO bank card included items from Target, Walmart, Logan’s Roadhouse, Old Navy, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Cracker Barrel, and several other local and online retailers. These purchases totaled $2,839.40.
The remaining $166.30 was stolen after Tandy submitted a false reimbursement claim that inflated the price she paid for candy to support a PTO back-to-school appreciation event.
Investigators also revealed that Tandy fabricated a bank document in an attempt to conceal her theft.
The investigation began after former PTO officials reported funds had been misappropriated from the PTO bank account. After being questioned by PTO board members, Tandy deposited a total of $2,857.14 into the PTO bank account — leaving an outstanding cash shortage of $148.56.
In September 2021, Jessica Tandy was indicted by the Cheatham County Grand Jury on one count of theft over $1,000, one count of forgery, one count of criminal simulation, and one count of computer crimes.
“All school support organizations, including PTOs, must ensure they routinely review and reconcile bank statements in order to detect questionable activity,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower. “PTO officials should also require two signatures on checks and insist that this practice is followed.”
To view the investigative report, go to: https://comptroller.tn.gov/office-functions/investigations/find.html
If you suspect fraud, waste, or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: tncot.cc/fraud. Follow us on twitter @TNCOT and Instagram @tncot
