The former treasurer of a Lakeville elementary school parent-teacher organization has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $54,700 from PTO coffers.
Lisa Bostic Miller, 45, of Lakeville, had been charged with four crimes in Dakota County District Court, but two counts were dismissed in a plea arrangement. Miller pleaded guilty Monday to one felony count and one misdemeanor count of swindling. She will be sentenced Aug. 18.
Students and parents at Oak Hills Elementary School in Lakeville learned last fall that the money they raised had been spent by the treasurer for her own uses, including Gophers football tickets, a stay at a Manhattan hotel, a $300 bill at a hair salon and other luxuries.
Miller was treasurer from May 2007 through May 2009. She also worked in the banking industry for more than 20 years before losing her job in October 2008. That was right before the swindling from the PTO began, according to prosecutors.
Miller was charged with transferring $45,500 from PTO funds into her family's checking account in October 2008. She repaid it on Nov. 13, 2008.
From February 2009 through August 2009, she stole PTO funds to make personal purchases and get cash, and to write a check to the account of her family business. Miller repaid that money, as well, after learning she was under investigation, the Dakota County attorney's office said.
JOY POWELL
