AUSTIN (KXAN) — Eduardo Ramos, the former chief financial officer for the Austin Independent School District, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of insurance fraud, according to the Round Rock Police Department.
Following his arrest, Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura placed Ramos on leave. District officials clarified that the felony charge is unrelated to his role within the district. Ramos had submitted his resignation on July 23, with his last working day set for August 16.
The Round Rock PD issued the warrant for Ramos’ arrest, and he was taken into custody by the Austin ISD Police Department, subsequently booked into the Travis County jail. In a statement to KXAN, Ramos remarked, “We have a judicial process. I ask that everyone let the process run its course before rushing to judgment.”
Ramos was responsible for overseeing Austin ISD finances, which included budgeting, purchasing, and managing state and federal grants. With 27 years of experience in school finance, he previously held positions as chief of finance and operations in Pflugerville ISD and deputy superintendent of finance and operations in Hutto ISD.
During his tenure, Ramos successfully balanced Austin ISD’s operating budget for the first time in six years for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. However, the district now faces a budget deficit as the new school year begins, a challenge shared by several other school districts across Texas.
Austin ISD officials mentioned that the district routinely conducts external third-party audits of its finances, but the board is currently assessing whether additional reviews are necessary.
In light of Ramos’ departure, Superintendent Segura has appointed Ms. Katrina Montgomery as the Interim Chief Financial Officer. Montgomery has been with the district for three years, serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Finance.