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Durant High Bookkeeper Accused Of Embezzling Yearbook Funds

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By CHRIS ECHEGARAY

Published: October 18, 2007

TAMPA - TAMPA - TAMPA A Durant High School bookkeeper was arrested on Wednesday for stealing $14,000 from yearbook sales, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

Stella Lynette McKinley-Pate, 41, of 6706 Summer Haven Drive, was charged with third-degree grand theft and organized fraud. McKinley-Pate was released from jail on $5,000 bail, according to the arrest report.

An audit showed the money was missing, Carter said. The bookkeeper told authorities she had lost the money, Carter said.

Students had raised the $14,000 in yearbook sales between Aug. 1 and Sept. 19, Carter said. A teacher kept records of the sales and handed the money to McKinley-Pate, who did not give receipts, Carter said.

To recoup the money, the bookkeeper would intimidate teachers to get money through internal accounts, Carter said.

Also, there are funds missing from other accounts, Carter said.

The case is under investigation.

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