She helped parents raise cash for school supplies. Then thousands of dollars vanished
A 38-year-old Fresno woman was booked into Fresno County Jail on Thursday on suspicion of embezzling money from a Fresno Unified school’s parent organization.
Detectives arrested Jennifer Isabel Rodriguez on a felony charge of embezzlement. She oversaw a Powers-Ginsburg Elementary School parent foundation that conducted several fundraising events. Rodriguez also was a temporary employee of the Fresno Unified School District.
Money raised from events was to be used to buy school supplies for students. Detectives gathered information indicating that Rodriguez may have been stealing money. Fresno Unified attempted to resolve the situation with Rodriguez, but was unable.
The district later filed a report with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives interviewed Rodriguez, searched her home and seized financial records that implicated her in embezzlement. It is estimated that Rodriguez stole $8,000.
Her bail is set at $5,000, according to Fresno County Jail records.
Anyone with additional information about the Rodriguez case is asked to contact Detective Sergio Garcia at 559-600-8711 or Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Marc Benjamin: 559-441-6166, @beebenjamin
This story was originally published August 17, 2017 at 6:39 PM with the headline "She helped parents raise cash for school supplies. Then thousands of dollars vanished."