The former principal of a small East Vancouver school is facing charges that she embezzled about $170,000 in school funds, including gift cards that were supposed to go to needy families.
The Vancouver School Board (VSB) filed a lawsuit in British Columbia Supreme Court on Friday against Tricia Rooney, also known as Tricia Lowe, who was principal of Britannia Elementary School from 2017 to 2020.
The notice of claim alleges, among other things, that Rooney kept $13,289 in gift cards that were donated to struggling families, saved money raised through school fundraisers for herself, and booked and then canceled school events so that he can arrange the refund to her personally.
The school board’s lawsuit alleges that Rooney “intentionally engaged in illegal acts of conversion, theft and fraud.”
Kirsten Slening, chairwoman of the school’s parent advisory board, expressed concern about the allegations in a written statement.
“We are proud of our small but strong school community. Many of our students rely on the support of the school in many ways, which makes these allegations all the more worrying,” she said.
Rooney hung up on a reporter when asked to comment on the allegations in the lawsuit. None of the allegations have been proven in court and she has yet to file a response to the lawsuit.
A VSB spokesperson said the claim was filed by the provincial School Protection Program on behalf of the school board. They declined to comment while the case is in court, but said the school district “takes these allegations very seriously.”
The school board did not respond to questions about whether the allegations were reported to police.
Vancouver police spokesman Sergeant Steve Addison said he was not aware of an investigation but would likely not be able to confirm one was underway unless charges were approved.
“No explanation ever received”
According to school district, approximately 200 students are enrolled at Britannia, including many who come from families who struggle to pay for food and clothing, and a number who are in government care. About half of the students are local.
Rooney’s alleged financial misconduct first came to light in September 2019, when a routine VSB budget report revealed an “abnormal deficit”, the claim said. At the time, Rooney claimed the shortfall was due to a delay in receiving a grant from the province, but she provided no documentation to support that explanation.
A second budget report in October 2019 showed an “abnormal amount” of reimbursement checks were issued directly to Rooney, according to the allegation.
The VSB says it launched a formal investigation in January 2020 when it became clear Rooney was unable to explain the deficit.
The Vancouver School Board’s lawsuit against Tricia Rooney includes a long list of allegations of misuse of school funds. (kitzcorner/Shutterstock)
That investigation uncovered allegations of wrongdoing dating back to at least December 2017, just months into Rooney’s time at the school.
The suit alleges Rooney wrote and cashed checks made out to herself using her school board credit card for personal purchases, attempted to use the same card to pay her personal creditors, misappropriated gift cards , taking funds raised through events including a summer barbecue and keeping refunds from canceled events.
It goes on to say that Rooney failed to submit financial statements to the school “in order to cover up wrongdoing” and misrepresented fundraising income and donations to the school for the same reason.
“No explanation was ever received from the defendant regarding the unusual deficit or wrongdoing,” the suit states.
VSB is asking a judge to order Rooney to return $170,451 in allegedly embezzled funds, along with special and punitive damages.
Rooney has worked as a principal in Vancouver schools since 2005 and was hired by Britannia in August 2017, according to the notice of claim. Her current occupation is unknown.
Add Comment