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Almost $140,000 was stolen from the Charleston County School District in June, according to an incident report from the North Charleston Police Department released Aug. 28.
District officials met with two North Charleston detectives on Aug. 27 regarding multiple instances of money from the district being siphoned off and the cash transferred to unrecognized bank accounts.
Two district employees had their direct deposit information changed without their permission or knowledge, which caused their paychecks to go to an account at Sutton Bank that was not their own, according to the incident report.
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The report did not disclose thenames of the employees but did say they were a 54-year-old and a 35-year-old women. Andy Pruitt, spokesman for the school district, said both individuals serve as teachers for the district.
District officials also informed the detectives that during the same period, they were contacted by Communities In Schools regarding three unpaid invoices.The North Charleston-based community organization provides district schools with mental health services for students and their families. District records showed that the invoices were paid, but the money went to an unrecognized BMO Harris Bank account.
The district launched an investigation, which found that the breach originated from the Communities In Schools domain. The district attempted to recall the funds, but it was unsuccessful because the account being in the negative.
The organization said in a statement they are aware of the breach and are working closely with CCSD during the ongoing investigation.
"Additionally, we are taking the appropriate steps to ensure this was an isolated incident and are working to advance our technological tools and security," said Kristin Garner, an official for the organization. "In our ever-evolving online world, CISSC maintains a commitment to leveraging the best practices to safeguard our systems and the partners we serve."
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The school district said in a statement to The Post and Courier it is working with Communities in Schools to come to a resolution, but the district has also notified their bank, the FBI and local law enforcement.
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Pruitt said there were two separate incidents that occurred in short succession, but the district filedthem in one police report. He clarified the matter involving Community In Schools was separate from the incident involving the district employees.
Pruitt also said these incidents are unrelated to the cybersecurity breach the district experienced on July 16.
The date of the breach was June 18, according to the police incident report. The amounts from the invoices and stolen paychecks total $138,970.
There is no current suspect, according to the report, and the investigation is ongoing.
"Charleston County School District is committed to working with the North Charleston Police Department and other law enforcement agencies as appropriate on these matters," the district said in a statement. "In the event of fraudulent activities, as we have in this case, we will continue to support our employees appropriately."
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Komlavi Adissem
Komlavi Adissem is a breaking news and public safety reporterbased in Charleston, S.C. He is a graduate of the University ofMissouri, where he covered local, county, and state government forthe Columbia Missourian. Find him on Twitter (X) @KAdissem!
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Valerie Nava
Valerie Nava covers the Charleston County School District and isan Education Lab reporter for the Post and Courier. She graduatedwith a master's degree from the University of Missouri in December,2023.
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