Former Yuma Elementary School District employee pleads guilty to stealing nearly $86,000 in public funds

PHOENIX (KYMA) - A former Yuma Elementary School District employee has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $86,000 in public funds.

According to a press release from the Arizona Attorney General's Office, Mercedes Brena, also known as Mercedes Ruiz, was convicted of two of the following felonies:

• Misuse of public monies
• Possession of a forgery device

"When public funds meant for the education of Arizona's children are stolen or misused, there must be accountability," said Attorney General Kris Mayes. "My office will always stand up for the students, families, and taxpayers who deserve their tax dollars being spent appropriately."

Between November 2021 and October 2022, Brena was said to have used her role as a Human Resource Specialist to "steal from the district by forging and submitting fraudulent timesheets to a third-party payroll processing company, stealing money orders intended for the school, and using school district credit cards to purchase gift cards for personal use."

Brena pled guilty to the charges last week, and her sentencing is scheduled for April 15 in the Maricopa County Superior Court, the press release says.

The press release says the plea agreement also includes a stipulated minimum restitution of $85,988.70.

To learn more about the case, click here.