Search Underway for Former Treasurer Accused of Embezzling $36,500 from Scottsdale School’s Parent Group

Scottsdale authorities have initiated a search for Nubia Gonzalez, a woman accused of embezzling over $36,500 from the Cocopah Middle School’s Association of Parents and Teachers, as per statements from local police. This financial discrepancy was brought to light following a fraud report filed on July 3 by the Association of Parents and Teachers’ president, who discovered the organization’s savings were depleted upon returning from a trip. Gonzalez, who had assumed the role of treasurer for the Association of Parents and Teachers in April, gained access to the accounts on June 28, shortly before the alleged theft occurred, ABC15 reports.

Investigators have attempted to trace Gonzalez’s whereabouts through her provided contact information, which includes a Scottsdale address given to the Scottsdale Unified School District and her phone numbers, all of which have led to dead ends as the address proved to be fraudulent, and the phone numbers are no longer in service. The Scottsdale Police Department has turned to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information on Gonzalez’s location to call (480) 312-TIPS, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.

The repercussions of this incident extend to the school community and its network of volunteers who dedicate time and resources to enhance student experiences. In their statement, the Scottsdale Unified School District expressed their disappointment and emphasized the separation of such organizations from the district’s direct oversight, “We are disappointed to learn about the alleged theft involving the treasurer of the Cocopah Middle School APT. It is disheartening to think that someone would take advantage of the hard work and dedication of our parent groups,” as mentioned in the district’s release to ABC15.

Furthermore, the Association of Parents and Teachers has reached out to families, detailing the unfortunate event and affirming its commitment to transparency, “An unthinkable event took place last month, which we want to share with you in our commitment to transparency. We were not allowed to share this news until now. …There is an active and ongoing police investigation,” specifies the association’s message to families, as reported by the ABC15. The organization is actively seeking restitution and has implemented additional safeguards to prevent similar issues in the future. Their resilience is a testament to their dedication to the students and the educational mission they serve.