TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

School Worker's Firing Follows Theft Charges

ADVERTISEMENT

By KATHY STEELE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 18, 2008

EAST TAMPA - The school board has fired a former James Elementary School secretary accused of stealing almost $7,890 from an after-school program, officials said.

Trinetta Shorter, 37, turned herself in to Tampa police in May and was released on $6,000 bail, records show. Jail and court records list her as Trinette Shorterwilliams and give a Brandon address.

Shorter was hired in September 2005 and worked at James, 4302 E. Ellicott St., until mid-January, when an audit revealed she was paying herself overtime without authorization, school officials said.

Officials said the theft apparently took place between June 2007 and mid-January. An investigation was begun, and Shorter was transferred to a clerical job with the school board's human resources department.

She was suspended without pay May 21 and fired effective June 11.

"We hope we'll get restitution and we'll let the legal system play itself out," school district spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said.

Shorter, who could not be reached for comment, faces felony charges of grand theft, organized fraud and official misconduct-falsify records.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT