An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Phillip Nickins and Griselda Castaneda-Camacho (aka Grace Nickins). Nickins and Castaneda-Camacho served as co-presidents of the Glencliff Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for the 2017-2018 school year.
The Comptroller’s Office began its investigation after PTO officials reported that funds had been misappropriated from the PTO bank account.
Investigators determined that Nickins and Castaneda-Camacho stole at least $7,818.94 from the PTO by utilizing the following schemes:
- A PTO debit card was used to make unauthorized ATM cash withdrawals totaling at least $3,789.38. This amount also includes overdraft fees and ATM usage fees.
- The couple made unauthorized personal purchases totaling at least $617.75 using the PTO’s debit card. These purchases included many items such as women’s clothing, a child’s car seat, fast food, online gaming items, and pharmaceutical products.
- The couple failed to account for $3,411.81 in PTO sales from a chocolate fundraiser. The fundraiser had the potential for gross sales of at least $13,320 but only $9,908.19 was deposited into the PTO’s bank account.
The investigative report also reveals that Castaneda-Camacho presented a falsified bank document to school officials in an attempt to conceal the misappropriation. The fictitious document on bank letterhead claimed that a bank error had resulted in the PTO’s account being merged with the couple’s personal account. Bank personnel confirmed the letter was fraudulent.
In September 2021, Phillip Nickins (aka Phillip Nickens) and Griselda Castaneda-Camacho were each indicted by the Davidson County Grand Jury on one count of theft over $2,500, and one count of credit card fraud over $2,500.
“School support organizations often fall victim to theft,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower. “In nearly every case, parent volunteers are trusted to handle money without adequate oversight. School support groups are required to implement basic controls to safeguard funds and property.”
To view the investigative report, go to: https://comptroller.tn.gov/office-functions/investigations/find.html
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