NORWICH, N.Y. — Norwich police have charged a woman with stealing more than $7,000 from the Norwich Purple Tornado Community Team, a group that raises money for Norwich school sports.
Police said Rebecca L. Evans, 49, of 25 Plymouth St. in Norwich, has been charged with grand larceny and forgery, both felonies.
Police said Evans forged on checks the name of a different member of the Norwich Purple Tornado Community Team, taking about $7,600 between July 2016 and March 2018.
Evans was released and ordered to return to Norwich City Court at a later date.
WBNG-TV identified Evans as a teacher in the district who served as the Norwich Purple Tornado Community Team’s treasurer.
Norwich City School District Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan expressed to the TV station, “Shock and dismay that someone would do that.” He added,” It’s an organization that’s dedicated to raising money for children and then to have someone in a position of trust and authority steal that money is very disappointing.”
O’Sullivan told WBNG that the school district plans to remove Evans as an employee as soon as possible.
Norwich school records indicate that Evans teaches reading at Perry Browne Intermediate School.
Contact McChesney at cmcchesney@cnybj.com
Photo credit: Norwich police