Ex-Worker Guilty In School Theft She Was Bookkeeper At Lake City High

A former Lake City High School bookkeeper has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $10,000 from the Coeur d’Alene School District.

Renee Diane Rossman, 34, pleaded guilty on Friday to felony theft, punishable by up to 14 years in prison and fines up to $5,000.

A sentencing date has been set for July 10.

Rossman, who was in charge of depositing money earned from ticket sales at sporting events and school dances, admitted to police she took money from the school. She said she was the sole wage-earner in her family and has two sons.

Rossman told police in a January interview she took the money to pay for car repairs, Christmas gifts and bills.

Rossman is also facing theft charges in Bonner County after allegedly embezzling more than $7,000 from the Sandpoint Soccer Association.

The Bonner County prosecutor has agreed to drop those charges if Rossman pays restitution, said Kootenai County Deputy Prosecutor Jim Daugherty.

Prosecutors will also ask that Rossman pay restitution to the Coeur d’Alene School District.

Rossman was fired from her job at Lake City on Jan. 11 after school officials noticed receipts from football games, pop machines and other sources didn’t jibe with revenue.

The Coeur d’Alene School District has also filed a civil lawsuit against Rossman seeking the missing money.

Charles Dodson, the school district’s attorney, said that case will be pursued once the criminal case is over.

“We’re going to watch and see what happens at sentencing,” Dodson said Tuesday.

If 1st District Judge Gary Haman includes repayment of the missing money in Rossman’s sentencing, then the district’s suit is finished, Dodson said.

So far, the district has recovered $1,473.65 by withholding Rossman’s final paycheck.

Lake City High School Principal John Brumley noticed certain school funds were not as high as they had been in past years. Superintendent David Rawls was notified and he ordered an internal audit, which was turned over to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.

FAST FACT Embezzlement

Renee Diane Rossman, who was in charge of depositing money earned from ticket sales at sporting events and school dances, admitted to police she took more than $10,000 from Lake City High School.