CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — Lori St. Thomas, a longtime Catholic school principal from Coral Springs, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding St. Coleman Catholic School in Pompano Beach of over $238,000.
The 61-year-old educator surrendered at the Broward County Courthouse on Thursday and was booked into the Broward Sheriff’s Office Main Jail. She faces a felony charge of obtaining property over $50,000 by fraud. Her bond has been set at $50,000.
St. Thomas had worked with the Archdiocese of Miami since 1986 and served as principal of St. Coleman from 2004 until her transfer to Mary Help of Christians Catholic School in Parkland in 2024—shortly before the alleged fraud was uncovered.
According to investigators, between 2016 and 2025, St. Thomas arranged unauthorized payments to herself via a separate direct deposit account, totaling approximately $238,196.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office began its investigation earlier this year after being contacted by officials at St. Coleman Catholic School. The findings led to St. Thomas’ arrest.
The Archdiocese of Miami has declined to comment further, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
