North Escambia Connection: Men Busted For Misusing Charter School Funds

June 10, 2009

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Two Escambia County men that were arrested and charged Tuesday with misappropriating nearly a half million dollars intended for the use by a charter school. Their not-for-profit group owns property in North Escambia, and one of the men was apparently connected with the electric car plant that was planned for Century.

Florida CFO Alex Sink and 1st Judicial Circuit State Attorney William Eddins today announced the arrest of the two men in connection with the misappropriation of almost $480,000 in state funds intended for use by Life Skills Center, a charter school for high school students at risk of dropping out.

John H. Wyche, 51, president and director of the not-for-profit Escambia County Community Land Trust, Inc. (ECCLT), and Orenthal J. Rembert, 39, treasurer and director of ECCLT, are charged with two first degree felonies, aggravated white collar crime and conducting unlawful financial transactions. If convicted, they could be sentenced to 60 years in prison, fined $20,000, and ordered to pay restitution of more than $480,000 to the state and other victims.

According to records in the office of Escambia County Property Appraiser Christ Jones, the Escambia County Community Land Trust owns a small lot off Juniper Street in Walnut Hill.

And, according to Wyche’s web site, he was a consultant on the Project Green Leaf electric car plant that was planned for Century but never materialized. Wyche also listed himself as “self-employed/electric car manufacturer” in connection with contributions made to President Barack Obama’s campaign, according to records on file with the Federal Election Commission.

“It is appalling that state funds intended for educating students in need were being diverted to these people’s commercial interests and even their own pockets,” said CFO Sink. “I applaud the diligent work of our Office of Fiscal Integrity, State Attorney William Eddins and the Escambia County School District, who were able to crack down on this theft and make sure state money was being used for the students of Florida.”

Documents filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court show that Rembert, at the direction of Wyche, wrongfully transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars of education funds from Life Skills Center charter school account to ECCLT commercial and business accounts. Documents also show that Rembert and Wyche used the funds to pay expenses of the Land Trust, including salaries to Wyche and others and to operate ECCLT-owned Maison DeVille apartments.

The arrests resulted from a joint investigation by CFO Sink’s Office of Fiscal Integrity and the 1st Judicial Circuit’s State Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the School District of Escambia County’s Office of Internal Auditing. The investigation by the Office of Fiscal Integrity and the State Attorney’s Office is ongoing.

Pictured above: Escambia County Jail booking photos of John H. Wyche (left) and Orenthal J. Rembert.

Comments

4 Responses to “North Escambia Connection: Men Busted For Misusing Charter School Funds”

  1. sylvia godwin on June 10th, 2009 12:36 pm

    I do believe some people would steal the nickels off a dead mans eyes. I hope they make sure they pay all the money back they stole.Some people will do anything for the almighty dollar, it’s so sad that is what the people in the world has stooped to.

  2. Teacher on June 10th, 2009 11:59 am

    Wonder what they were teaching at the Life Skills Center?

  3. ryui on June 10th, 2009 10:17 am

    your kidding right?

  4. Robt on June 10th, 2009 7:45 am

    No!!!!! – What an absolute shock. Get out the Jesse Jackson book on how to blame they system so these poor victims who were only trying to help their fellow man can walk away from this miscarriage of justice.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News