Ex-PTO treasurer accused of theft

Alleged to have embezzled $13,000

WINSTED — A former Winchester Parent Teacher Organization treasurer is accused of embezzling $13,000 from the organization.

Jeni Shean, 41, who now lives in Pitson, Maine, turned herself in to police on Nov. 18 after learning of an outstanding arrest warrant charging her with second-degree larceny — embezzlement, Winsted police said in a release Monday.

The Winchester Police Department received a complaint from the president of the PTO at the end of May concerning irregularities with the book keeping records.

Discrepancies with the PTO’s financial records were discovered by the president and later verified through a forensic audit, police said.

After an extensive investigation conducted by the Winchester Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division into these allegations that Shean, the organization’s former treasurer, embezzled approximately $13,000 in funds from the PTO from 2013 through 2016, investigators interviewed Shean at her home in Maine. She denied the allegations.

However, Shean had written numerous checks to “cash” from the PTO’s checking account, police said. An arrest warrant was then obtained.

“We support our PTO and their quest to obtain justice for the loss of funds,” the Winchester Public Schools said in a statement issued Monday afternoon.

“As noted in the official police press release, the current PTO was instrumental in forwarding this concern to our local authorities. Their outreach and transparency speaks to their commitment and dedication to the staff, students, and families of the

Winchester Public Schools. Our current PTO is held in high regard, and this is no reflection of their work, commitment, or financial integrity.”

Winchester Public Schools is a separate financial entity from the PTO.

Shean was released after posting $10,000 non-surety bail pending her arraignment Monday at state Superior Court in Torrington.