Former Holly PTO Treasurer Angela Wallace Convicted of Stealing from Parent Group
(Crystal A. Proxmire, July 24, 2024)
Holly, MI – Former Holly Elementary PTO Treasurer Angela Wallace was convicted by a jury of embezzlement on July 22.
According to a police report, On October 3, 2023 the Holly police department was contacted by the President of the Holly Elementary School PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) who reported suspicious banking activity by their former Treasurer who had served in that capacity since 2020.
The investigating officer was advised that due to those concerns, the PTO Board held a meeting on October 2, 2023 where the Board voted to remove the Treasurer from her position and her Board membership to be effective immediately.
The complainant stated that the Treasurer was angry over her removal.
The Holly police investigation revealed that on October 3, 2023, the now former Treasurer went to the bank that held the account, presenting herself with authority and acting in her former capacity and advised the bank employee that she wished to close the account on behalf of the PTO Organization. The account was closed of all funds and a check issued to the former Treasurer in the amount of several thousand dollars.
The Holly Elementary PTO is a licensed non-profit organization that is privately run by parents and staff, but not aligned formally with Holly Area Schools. The funding of the PTO is derived from parent/student fundraising activity to provide additional, non-school funded equipment and activities for Holly Elementary students. The PTO account is separate from any Holly Area Schools funding or accounts.
The Holly police department submitted its findings to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for criminal charges. On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, Angela Marie Wallace, age 53 of Holly, MI was arraigned at the 52/2 District Court in Clarkston, MI before Magistrate Thomas Raguso on one count of Embezzlement by Agent or Trustee, a 5-year Felony and one Alternate count of Larceny by Conversion, a 5-year Felony.
The jury convicted Wallace on the first count.
In spite of the accusation, and now conviction, Wallace has remained on the Village of Holly Planning Commission. Wallace and her associates in the political group Holly ACTS have faced a number of scandals over the past couple of years, which Oakland County Times detailed in a previous report.
Wallace’s sentencing is expected to take place Oct. 3.
