A large Costco breakfast order led to the arrest of two staffers at a charter school located on California's central coast.
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How a Costco Order Led to the Discovery of an Embezzlement Scheme
As the New York Post reports, an administrator at the International School of Monterey in Seaside, California, flagged a Costco order for eggs, bacon, and potatoes that former food services director Terry Bumper placed.
The administrator then alerted Seaside Police. Investigators uncovered that Bumper had embezzled $58,800 from the school. The 42-year-old allegedly ordered products for his catering business in 2023. He is also accused of renting out the school's kitchen for personal profit.
That alleged misuse of funds led the school to discover another fraud. Chief Financial Officer Rosa Segura allegedly transferred more than $238,000 of school funds. Authorities said she used the money for luxury vacations, restaurants, spas, and online shopping.
Authorities then arrested the 45-year-old on Oct. 22 on felony embezzlement charges. Bumper was also arrested on the same charges on Sep. 24. The Monterey County District Attorney's Office then formally filed charges against him on Oct. 20.
Bumper Pleaded Not Guilty
Bumper pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. He was then released after he posted $20,000 bail. He denied routing any funds to his catering business and said his only responsibility was ordering food for the school. Segura held final approval over all orders.
"I did everything I could for them kids, and I would never steal from them kids," he said.
Investigators have been unable to determine whether Segura and Bumper worked together, or even knew about each other's alleged misuse of funds.
"There's something about this level of theft that really gets under my skin," Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges told reporters. "You are ripping off not just the school, not just the kids. It's taxpayer dollars. You are ripping everybody off."
