FORT MYERS, Fla. — A Fort Myers woman was arrested this morning for stealing more than $87,000 from a school.
Lisa Ann Betz, 60, was the Administrative Assistant and Coordinator of High School Operations for the Florida Southwestern Collegiate High School. As part of her responsibilities, she collected funds for various school events.
Following her resignation, it was discovered that over a 5-year period between 2014 and 2019 she had collected and allegedly failed to deposit more than $87,000. During this same time period, she is also accused of depositing more than $70,000 in unexplained cash and checks from school vendors into her personal account.
Betz requested students to pay cash only for various club accounts and required all payments be made directly to her. The club accounts were governed by the high school and college who did not have knowledge that the funds were being misappropriated.
Lee County deputies took Betz into custody this morning. She is facing charges of Second Degree Grand Theft and First Degree Scheme to Defraud.
The case was investigated by the State Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit which will also prosecute the case.
