Former Broward County charter school president, Jimika Williams, has been found guilty of embezzling almost $400,000 of school funds to pay for personal items according to the Department of Justice. Â
Â
Williams was the president of Advancement of Education in Scholars Corporation (AESC,) which operated Paramount Charter School in Sunrise, Florida. The school was closed permanently in 2017. She was also President of the Florida Scholas Educational Services Corporation (FSESC.)Â
The Evidence Â
Â
According to evidence presented by the DOJ, Williams unlawfully enriched herself with $389,857 of school funds between 2015 and 2017. Â
Â
Prosecutors charged that Williams transferred the money in sums ranging from $3,000 to $50,000 at a time from the nonprofit AESC’s business account into an FSESC account for expenses such as payments for a vehicle, private school tuition, and rent. She also allegedly used the funds to pay for a lavish Davie Florida home. Â
Â
The ChargesÂ
Â
A federal jury has found Williams guilty of two counts of theft of federal funds and 18 counts of wire fraud. She faces ten years in prison for each theft charge, and 20 years for each count of wire fraud. In addition, the DOJ has stated that she could also be forced to pay restitution and substantial monetary fines. Â
Â
She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 7th. Â
Â
Learn More> Protecting Your Florida Professional License After Being Charged with a CrimeÂ
Wire Fraud and Embezzlement Defense Â
Â
If you have been charged with embezzlement or fraud charges as a licensed professional, board-certified criminal defense lawyer Ben Stechschulte can help you develop a defense plan for your unique case. Our attorneys can help you negotiate a plea bargain to reduce jail time or other penalties, and will defend your constitutional rights as a licensed professional. Â
Â
We will help protect your career and obtain the best possible outcome for you. Contact Stechschulte Nell today for a case review; 813-280-1244. Â
Â
