CPS Principal Accused of Embezzlement

By Margaret Lyons in News on Apr 9, 2008 5:08PM

An all-star principal for CPS is facing embezzlement charges. Mirna Diaz Ortiz pleaded not guilty to a 42-count indictment that charges she forged checks and stole $35,000, but her lawyers aren't arguing that she didn't do these things--they're arguing she's not criminally liable.

Her attorney, Steven Hunter, said Diaz has paid back $23,000 and plans to pay back the rest. "We expect that when the trial is concluded, and both sides have been heard, that she'll be exonerated,'' he said. "There were extenuating circumstances.''

Diaz "received money that she was not entitled to. She recognizes that, and is taking steps to return it to the public schools. However, we are not conceding that there is criminal liability,'' Hunter said. "

The inspector general launched the investigation based on an anonymous tip. Diaz Ortiz has been accused of 36 counts of forgery, four counts of official misconduct and two counts of theft. She's also been accused of using school funds for personal items, including a laptop for her daughter and three TVs.

Diaz Ortiz was until February the principal of Alfred Nobel Elementary School, a position she'd held since 1988. She doubled the school's test scores and was cited in two different studies as a model principal. And she's the fourth CPS employee and third principal to be accused of theft in the last few years, according to the district's inspector general.[Trib, S-T]