A former school executive in Madera has been charged by the federal government with embezzlement.
Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly Sanchez announced that Nicholas Retana, 67, has been charged with one count of embezzling money from a program that received federal funding.
The big picture: Retana was the founder and executive director of a kindergarten through 8th grade charter school in Madera County until 2020.
- Court documents allege that Retana used school funds on improper personal expenses for himself, his family and associates.
- Retana allegedly concealed the misused funds by mislabeling the expenses in school accounting records and misrepresenting the expenses when asked.
- He was arraigned on Monday after a federal grand jury indictment was unsealed.
Go deeper: One example of Retana’s embezzlement was him purchasing new Ford F-150 Raptors for his two sons using school funds.
- In another example, Retana had a personal relationship with a self-proclaimed sex worker turned relationship coach. He paid that individual $12,000 using school funds.
What we’re watching: Retana faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
