(Photo: Macomb County Sheriff's Office)
A high school teacher in Michigan is accused of stealing money from student events and spending it at a casino.
According to school officials, police, and prosecutors, Lydia Johnson stole several thousand dollars from Dakota High School's homecoming dance fund, and from funds for a camping trip.
The 29-year-old worked as a Spanish teacher at the school and was the student activity coordinator from July 1, 2016 until her recent removal.
Authorities say Johnson oversaw the ticket sales for Dakota's 2016 Homecoming dance, and that, based on attendance, the ticket sales should have taken in nearly $30,000. Johnson deposited only $11,000 into the school’s Homecoming account.
School authorities say they found empty homecoming deposit envelopes in her classroom, and that her bank records show cash deposits far in excess of her salary.