WAUKESHA -- The former Parent Teacher Organization president at Hawthorne Elementary School in Waukesha appeared in court Monday morning.
Jaime Cutts, who was seen visibly shaking, is accused of stealing more than $14,000 from the Hawthorne Elementary School PTO.
Upon discovering the missing money in October 2015, PTO members decided to allow the person who stole it to pay the money back. They made an agreement that no criminal action would be taken pending payments.
In March, TODAY'S TMJ4 acquired emails sent about the situation. The school district was informed of the situation and disagreed with the agreement between Cutts and the PTO, but couldn't do anything about it since the PTO was privately incorporated.
The Waukesha Police Department said in March that the situation proved frustrating to them, as well. Upset parents called and visited the station asking officers to press charges. However, law enforcement could only press charges if the necessary information was brought to them by the PTO board, who wouldn't cooperate.
The PTO's current vice president said as soon as he and the new board were appointed, they immediately turned over records. That's when the investigation kicked off, three months after the PTO board found out about the stolen money.
The judge approved a $5,000 bond for Cutts with a no-contact order for the school's PTO. It also includes an order that she not use or possess any non-prescribed drugs.
Cutts faces 10 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines. Her next court appearance will be April 25.
