Geauga County PTO treasurer is accused of felony $25,000

NOVELTY, Ohio (WOIO) – A PTO treasurer has been indicted by a grand jury after a civil lawsuit earlier this year accused her of using $25,000 in PTO funds for “her own benefit.”

Kathryn Burry is now charged with money laundering, grand theft and telecommunications fraud.

She was indicted by a grand jury last Tuesday.

The civil lawsuit accusing Burry of these crimes was made public in mid-August.

According to the complaint, Kathryn Burry, also known as Katy, began as PTO Treasurer of Westwood Elementary School on August 1, 2021.

Westwood Elementary School is part of the West Geauga Local Schools district.

According to the complaint, the PTO's current president learned of Burry's alleged fraud on June 25.

The PTO president noted that the company's bank account was “significantly lower” than it should be, the complaint says.

The complaint said the PTO president determined that Burry used the PTO's funds to pay herself, her own company, Hipster and other third parties without permission to conceal “fraudulent activity.”

The complaint said Burry misdirected over $25,000.

According to the complaint, Burry was immediately removed from those accounts.

The civil complaint also stated: “Based on information and beliefs, Defendant [Burry] has absconded with funds that are the rightful property of the plaintiff [the PTO].”

Burry faces civil charges of fraud and theft, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, unjust enrichment and punitive damages.

Burry is expected to respond to the civil lawsuit within four weeks of its filing Monday.

19 News reached out to West Geauga Local Schools, who released the following statement:

19 News has also reached out to Burry for comment but has not yet heard back.

Burry will appear in court for her arraignment on Thursday.

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