Former Arizona business manager accused of stealing school funds

PHOENIX — The former business manager of a northern Arizona vocational school has been indicted for allegedly stealing more than $30,000, according to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

Celestia Ziemkowski, who worked for the Valley Academy for Career and Technical Education in Cottonwood, was charged with fraudulent schemes, theft, forgery, computer tampering and violation of duties of a custodian of public monies.

She was accused of charging nearly $11,000 to a school credit card between June 2015 and February 2016 and forging statements to hide the charges.

Ziemkowski also allegedly issued five unauthorized checks worth nearly $20,000 for personal purposes from July 2015 to December 2015.

Celestia Ziemkowski, former business manager for Valley Academy for Career & Technical Education (VACTE), indicted following an investigation conducted by the AZ Auditor General. Accused of using her position to steal approximately $30,500 of VACTE funds.https://t.co/S1m7HIxvGk

— Mark Brnovich (@GeneralBrnovich) October 1, 2019

She resigned in 2016 after being questioned about her purchases, the attorney general’s office said. The school then reported fraud allegations.

The school is one of 14 Career and Technical Education Districts in Arizona and provides training to high schoolers in areas such as nursing, firefighting and welding.

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