Keystone Oaks School District Victim Of Lunch Money Theft

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Kathleen E. Smith of Carnegie, a cashier and supervisor for Metz Culinary Management which then ran the Keystone Oaks School District's food service, has been charged with stealing more than $92,000 from the district during the school years 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Allegheny County District Attorney Steve Zappala has charged Smith with four felony counts of theft, one felony count of unlawful use of computer and a misdemeanor count of tampering with records or identification.

Prosecutors say Smith pocketed cash students gave her for their meal accounts, but then, using a colleague's identity, adjusted the balance in those accounts to reflect the payment so that students and parents would not be aware of the loss.

According to the police complaint, "She stated that she needed the money to help her pay her bills. She stated, I was just stupid."

Keystone Oaks had terminated Metz, along with Smith, before discovering the theft, and now operates its own food service.

In a statement, Superintendent William Stropkaj said, "The person in question was a Metz Culinary Management employee."

"Out of respect for the process, the Keystone Oaks School District has nothing further to add at this time."

UPDATE:

Metz Culinary Management President and CEO Jeff Metz released a statement Monday morning about the incident:

"Metz Culinary Management has just been made aware of the charges involving Kathleen Smith, a former employee who has not worked with the company since June 2013. As this is a legal matter, it would be inappropriate to comment further."

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