HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced criminal charges against a Philadelphia woman for stealing more than $61,000 from the Philadelphia School District through a years-long scheme involving services for her children.
Laurel Schullere, owner of Missing Pieces in Germantown, turned herself in Wednesday in Philadelphia County. She is charged with theft by deception, criminal attempt – theft by deception, and provider prohibited acts.
The investigation revealed that Schullere has two children who require therapeutic care provided through the Philadelphia School District. She allegedly assured the district that Missing Pieces would deliver those services – but failed to disclose that she owned the business. Over nine years, the school district sent her payments for services totaling more than $61,000.
Schullere kept the payments. Investigators found no evidence that Missing Pieces was operational.
“This defendant exploited a system designed to help her own children grow and succeed,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Instead of ensuring the children received the care they needed, the defendant misled the district and pocketed taxpayer dollars.”
Bank records show that Schullere received the payments, but did not forward any funds to Missing Pieces. The company, according to the Office of Attorney General’s investigation, listed two addresses – one tied to an unrelated church and another that was an abandoned property.
This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Thomas Ost-Prisco. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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