A Brockton, Massachusetts, woman who once won an award for her involvement in the city's public schools has been charged with stealing thousands of dollars from a parent-teacher organization.
Authorities say 40-year-old Maureen Pierson skimmed between $4,000 and $8,000 from fundraisers while treasurer of the PTO at the Huntington Elementary School. Pierson also worked at the school as a lunch monitor and paraprofessional. She has pleaded not guilty to a larceny charge.
The Enterprise reports that according to police, she stole the money because her husband had a gambling problem that often left her unable to pay bills.
Pierson received the Positive Parent Award from the Brockton Public Schools' Parent Engagement Program in 2013.
Her court-appointed attorney said he had no comment in the allegations.
