Former Jackson Park PTA officer pleads guilty

Published 11:33 am Thursday, April 29, 2010

The former PTA treasurer for Jackson Park Elementary School, accused of stealing more than $18,000 from the association’s bank account, pleaded guilty Wednesday.

Tammy Ann Barnett, 32, pleaded guilty to first-degree theft, a felony, and also paid back nearly the full $18,000 in a cashier’s check, said Deputy Prosecutor Cami Lewis.

Association officers noticed the money missing in February when an $1,800 check written to the Central Kitsap School District didn’t clear.

Barnett was also sentenced to 20 days house arrest by Superior Court Judge M. Karlynn Haberly.

Lewis said investigators believe the $18,000 does not cover the amount found missing, but Barnett and authorities agreed to the amount.

“We suspect that there’s more, but it was the victim’s position to get the $18,000 because they’re in such dire financial straits,” Lewis said.

She said the situation was different from most because Barnett paid most of the money back.

“She did pay such a substantial amount in restitution, we thought it would be an appropriate resolution.”