Former Detroit Public Schools Bookkeeper Charged with Federal Program Fraud

Allen Swayze, 34, a former Detroit Public Schools ("DPS") bookkeeper, was indicted by a federal grand jury today in Detroit on charges that he fraudulently obtained money from Detroit Public Schools, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.

United States Attorney McQuade was joined in this announcement by Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The indictment charges that between August, 2006 and May, 2009, Swayze, who worked as a bookkeeper at the Breithaupt Career and Technical Center, issued fraudulent checks to himself and to his company, Swayze Management Industries, in the amount of $148,000. Swayze deposited the checks in his bank accounts or cashed them at banks where his accounts were located.

United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade said,"As our community works to fund and improve our schools, we will not tolerate anyone who steals money intended to educate our children."

Special Agent Andrew G. Arena, stated, "This individual has abused the public trust by illegally obtaining money designated for educating the children in the City of Detroit. The FBI is committed to investigating individuals who fraudulently obtain money through business with the Detroit Public Schools."

If convicted, Swayze faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the DPS Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela Thompson.