Former charter school principal sentenced to 13 months for theft of federal funds

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Noel Rodriguez, 56, formerly of Dover,  was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Andrews to 13 months of  in prison. He was also ordered to pay $145,480 in restitution. The sentencing came after Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of federal program theft on November 20 of last year.

According to court records and statements made in court, between 2011 and 2014, while serving as Principal of the Academy of Dover, a charter school in the capital city,  Rodriguez embezzled $145,480 from the school.  He charged personal expenses to four unauthorized credit cards that he opened in the name of the school, abusing the voucher program, and using the charter-school issued procurement credit card for his own personal purchases. 

Rodriguez used the embezzled funds to purchase camping equipment, electronics, personal travel, and home improvement items, among other things.

U.S. Attorney for Delaware David Weiss said, “Mr. Rodriguez betrayed the public trust by using his position as Principal of the Academy of Dover to further his own interests.  The sentence imposed today holds Mr. Rodriguez accountable for stealing $145,000 meant for the children and school he was hired to serve, and it should serve as a warning to others contemplating misappropriating public funds.”

The  case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Education – Office of the Inspector General, and the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, with assistance from the Delaware Office of Auditor of Accounts.