Only on ABC-7: State auditor confirms embezzlement at Alma D’Arte High School

In an exclusive interview with ABC-7, the New Mexico state auditor confirmed tens of thousands of dollars have been stolen from Alma D’Arte Charter High School.

“Any dollar that doesn’t go where it’s supposed to go is a dollar I’m concerned about,” said State Auditor Wayne Johnson. “That’s either a misappropriation or, in this case, it looks like fraud.”

Johnson told ABC-7 that between $15,000 and $100,000 was embezzled at the school. He said state police are leading the criminal investigation.

“I can’t really say who it might be, but they are high enough placed in the administration to be able to have access to financial information,” Johnson said.

The state auditor’s office told ABC-7 no arrests have yet been made. Alma D’Arte is a charter high school not under the jurisdiction of Las Cruces Public Schools.

“I wasn’t really aware of it,” said Daisy Navarro, who has a daughter in the tenth grade. “I just hope that everything works out.”

Gene Elliott, president of the Governance Council at Alma D’Arte, told ABC-7 he would not comment until the investigation had concluded.