Couple Seeks To Resolve School Theft Case

One Kansas parent has reached a deal to avoid trial for stealing thousands of dollars from a Topeka elementary school’s parent-teacher organization, and her husband is working to land a similar agreement.

Ben and Jamie Chestnut face a total of five felony charges accusing them of stealing $5,000 from the Avondale West Parent-Teacher Organization.

Jamie Chestnut has agreed to pay restitution and follow a number of other stipulations for two counts of forgery and one count of theft by deception.

Ben Chestnut, the group’s former treasurer, is seeking a similar agreement on charges of theft by deception and making false information.

The revelation in April 2013 that the money was missing from the PTO’s bank account nearly derailed year-end plans for a carnival.

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Associated Press information from: The Topeka Capital-Journal