Two arrested on suspicion of embezzling from the Riverbank PTA

By ROSALIO AHUMADA
rahumada@modbee.com

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Stanislaus County sheriff's detectives arrested two Riverbank women on suspicion of embezzling thousands of dollars from a parent-teacher association at Rio Altura Elementary School in Riverbank.

Joann Nordell, 47, and Stephanie Pulido, 31, were arrested Wednesday night at their homes, said deputy Royjindar Singh, a sheriff's spokesman.

Nordell and Pulido were booked at the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center, each on a charge of embezzlement by a clerk or servant, Singh said. They had posted bails of $20,000 and were released by Thursday evening.

Joann Nordell

According to authorities, questions about the Rio Altura Elementary School PTA arose after the group split into two associations, one for the school and another for the newly established Riverbank Language Academy, which is housed on the Rio Altura campus.

Current Rio Altura Parent-Teacher Association President Paula Jaramillo requested the investigation after state PTA auditors found discrepancies in the club's financial records in August.

Riverbank police sent the findings of its investigation to the Stanislaus County district attorney's office in November.

Jaramillo said Nordell was listed in the PTA records as the club's treasurer and Pulido was listed as president before Jaramillo took office.

Riverbank police won't say how much money is unaccounted for, but Jaramillo has filed an insurance claim for $14,000.

Jaramillo said she was relieved to hear arrests had been made in the case, because it could soon result in settlement between the PTA and the insurance company.

"I can move forward now and give the community back its money," Jaramillo said.

Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.