Former Camden educators accused of stealing from students

Four former Camden School District employees - including two retired principals - were charged today in two alleged fraud schemes totaling nearly $40,000.

The charges were the first stemming from a sweeping criminal probe launched by state investigators last spring into alleged test rigging and financial impropriety in the Camden school system.

In announcing indictments returned today by a state grand jury, State Attorney General Stuart Rabner called the theft allegations "unconscionable."

The indictment alleges that Michael Hailey, former principal of the H.B. Wilson Elementary School, and his top assistant, Patricia Johnson, stole $14,298 in field trip money paid by students or their families during the 2005-06 school year.

The 13 trips were actually paid for by the school district, which is among the state's poorest, Rabner said. The trips included the Philadelphia Zoo and Franklin Institute.

"It is a sad day when leaders in our schools are charged with stealing from their students," Rabner said at an afternoon news conference.

Hailey, 65, of Delran, declined comment yesterday.

"I don't have anything to say. No news like bad news," Hailey said.

Hailey's lawyer, Craig Mitnick said: "I do not want Michael Hailey to become the poster child for Camden schools corruption. There are much higher officials much more culpable than Mr. Hailey.

Asked whether his client committed any wrongdoing, Mitnick said: "It would be completely unfair to presume Mr. Hailey committed official misconduct, let alone theft. With time, more facts are going to come out."

Johnson, 57, of Atco, could not be reached for comment.

In a separate investigation, Hailey and Johnson were charged with attempting to bilk the district out of $25,000 by submitting phony pay vouchers. Also named were Juanita Worthy, the former principal at U.S. Wiggins Elementary School, and her daughter Keah Worthy, a former teacher at H.B. Wilson.

The indictment alleges that Johnson, a literacy coach, prepared vouchers seeking payment for 14 employees who attended eight meetings for the School Leadership Councils for both schools. The meetings were never held, Rabner said.

District officials discovered a discrepancy in the paperwork before any payments were made, and turned the case over to state and county investigators. Nine other staffers were reprimanded, and the contracts of two others were not renewed.

Juanita Worthy, 59 and Keah Worthy 31, both of Evesham, could not be reached for comment.

Hailey and Johnson were charged with conspiracy, official misconduct, theft by deception and tampering with public records, attempted theft by deception, and tampering with a witness.

The Worthys are charged with conspiracy, official misconduct, attempted theft by deception, tampering with records, and tampering with a witness.

Hailey, Johnson and Juanita Worthy, veteran educators, retired from the district in June. Keah Worthy no longer works in the district.

The charges were hailed in South Jersey's largest school system, which has been plagued with scandals and criminal investigations.

"It's a breath of fresh air that finally someone from the Camden School District gets indicted," said community activist Angel Cordero. "Hopefully, there are many more indictments to come."

Today's charges did not address the state's criminal investigation into suspiciously high 2005 state standardized test results at Wilson and Wiggins.

The state began investigating after The Inquirer raised questions about 2005 results showing that fourth graders at the schools had posted some of the best scores in the state.

Scores for 2006 plummeted at both schools, and were generally lower across the district. The state Department of Education concluded last summer that the scores were boosted by "adult interference."

The retirees' pensions could be in jeopardy if they were convicted, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association. The state Division of Pensions would decide in such cases.

The principals were paid $112,402 a year, and Johnson was paid $75,923.

A group of Wilson parents who said they paid for trips have demanded refunds and filed a lawsuit to recoup thousands of dollars that they allege was paid.

"All I know is I want my money back," said Shelane Nichols, whose daughter is a first grader at Wilson. "They have been robbing parents."