Lafayette, LA – A former bookkeeper for Patterson High School was arrested today after authorities uncovered a large-scale theft of school funds totaling more than $205,000. Lisa Ann Crochet Powell, 65, of Morgan City, faces multiple charges, including false accounting, theft over $25,000, and malfeasance in office.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office announced Powell’s arrest around 3 p.m. today, following an investigation that began earlier this year after a “significant discrepancy” in the school’s financial records was reported. The sheriff’s office confirmed that the theft had occurred over a period spanning from 2020 to 2024.
According to the sheriff’s office, Powell, who served as the school’s bookkeeper, was responsible for managing receipts from funds collected by the school and depositing those funds into the school’s bank account. However, as investigators reviewed the financial records, they discovered numerous discrepancies, which ultimately led them to link Powell to the missing money.
“Detectives established that Powell was solely responsible for handling and depositing the school’s funds,” a statement from the sheriff’s office read. “As the investigation progressed, it became clear that Powell had been diverting significant amounts of money for personal use.”
At the time of Powell’s arrest, the missing funds totaled more than $205,000, though detectives indicated that further discrepancies may still be uncovered as the investigation continues.
The arrest of Powell comes on the heels of another financial misconduct case within the St. Mary Parish school system. Earlier this month, 31-year-old Dinah Dru Richard, a St. Mary Parish School Board employee, was arrested for allegedly using a school board credit card for personal expenses. Richard faces charges of theft and misuse of public funds, adding to concerns about financial management and oversight within the district.
“These cases raise serious questions about the integrity of financial practices within the school district,” said Sheriff Blaise Smith in a press release. “We are committed to holding individuals accountable for misusing public funds, and we will continue to thoroughly investigate any leads that arise.”
Powell has been booked into the St. Mary Parish Jail, where she is awaiting a bond hearing. If convicted, she could face significant prison time and fines for the theft and malfeasance charges.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with additional information about the case to come forward as the investigation remains ongoing.