For the second time in less than a week, a St. Mary Parish Schools employee has been charged with theft, this time involving a significant sum of money.
Sheriff Gary Driskell announced that Lisa Ann Crochet Powell, 65, of Morgan City, LA, was arrested on December 17, 2024, for theft, false accounting, and malfeasance in office. The charges stem from discrepancies found in the financial records at Patterson High School, which Powell had been responsible for as the school’s bookkeeper.
The investigation began on August 14, 2024, after school officials reported irregularities in the school’s financial transactions. Detectives discovered that the discrepancies dated back to 2020, with Powell handling all receipts and deposits for funds collected at the school.
As the investigation progressed, authorities found evidence that Powell had misappropriated funds totaling more than $205,000. She was arrested after a warrant was issued, and she was questioned before being transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.
This arrest comes shortly after another school employee, Dinah Dru Richard, was charged with theft of over $5,000 and malfeasance in office on December 13, 2024.
The investigation is ongoing, and bail for Powell has yet to be set.