A Hempfield Area parent is accused of taking $46,000 from a parent-teacher organization’s bank account, according to Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli’s office.
Darshanna L. Truss, 35, of Hempfield, who has been the treasurer of Fort Allen Elementary School’s PTO since 2023, was charged Thursday with two counts of theft.
Parent-teacher organizations are independent, volunteer-run groups that facilitate fundraising and events for educators and students.
Rumors that the group’s bank account was lower than expected began circulating on social media two weeks ago. School officials called the state police Greensburg barracks, and the investigation was taken over by county detectives, the district attorney’s office said last week.
County detectives reviewed the organization’s financial records and discovered that 48 checks had been issued to Truss since July 2023, totaling $28,400. An additional 30 checks, issued to “cash,” amounted to $17,600.
The checks issued to Truss were deposited into her personal bank accounts via mobile deposit, according to detective Ray Dupilka.
Truss was not in custody Thursday morning and has not been formally arraigned.
While school officials did not confirm the organization’s financial status, Superintendent Mark Holtzman said the district would financially support the PTO if any needs arose.