A Coffee County, Tenn., middle school teacher is accused of stealing more than $29,000 from the county's education association.
Stephanie Fischer Cunningham, 34, who taught social studies and language arts at Coffee County Middle School in Manchester, Tenn., was the former treasurer of the Coffee County Education Association. She stole at least $29,096 using the association's debit card and cash for her personal benefit from May 2013 to November 2015, according to a report by the Tennessee Comptroller's Office.
Investigators determined Cunningham charged meals at restaurants, jewelry, cosmetics, clothing and gift cards on the association's debit card. She also made unauthorized cash withdrawals by check and ATM, and made unauthorized transfers from the association's bank account to her personal bank account, state officials said.
Cunningham was indicted this month by a Coffee County grand jury on one count of theft over $10,000, officials said.
Investigators noted that beginning in July 2013 Cunningham began depositing personal funds back into the association's bank account, eventually totaling $25,069.
Craig Northcott, 14th Judicial District attorney general, said she has repaid most of the money and that will figure into what happens in court, he said.
"It's a strong mitigating factor," he said.
Convicted of a class C felony, Cunningham potentially faces a three- to six-year sentence, but the lack of a criminal record could make her eligible for judicial diversion. Judicial diversion, or pretrial diversion, requires a participating defendant with no criminal history to meet certain court-ordered criteria and to stay out of trouble for a period of time, after which the defendant's record can be cleared of the charge. The trial judge makes that decision.
Cunningham faces an arraignment hearing on Nov. 23. She resigned Wednesday from her teaching position.
Her attorney, Eric Burch, and Coffee County Director of Schools LaDonna McFall could not be reached Thursday for comment.
"One of the best ways to stop theft is to create a system that allows for prompt detection," Tennessee Comptroller Justin P. Wilson said in a statement on the case.
"One person should never be allowed to have complete control of a group's checkbook, bank account, and debit card without regular oversight. Reviewing bank statements and requiring multiple signatures on checks is a good place to start."
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.