Home Former Staunton School Board chair, sister turn themselves in, released on unsecured bond
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Former Staunton School Board chair, sister turn themselves in, released on unsecured bond

Crystal Graham
Staunton School Board woman withdrawing funds from bank
(© Africa Studio – stock.adobe.com)

A former Staunton School Board chair and her sister, who were indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday for felony embezzlement and money laundering, turned themselves in to authorities on Wednesday afternoon.

Natasha Lynn McCurdy and her sister, Felecia Anne Neil, were both released on $2,500 unsecured bonds.

McCurdy and Neil have been under investigation by the Staunton Police Department for nearly a year after the A.R. Ware Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association discovered “suspicious financial transactions” made by its treasurer, Neil. The questionable transactions were also linked to McCurdy and to a business reportedly co-owned by the sisters, Queen City Games and Gifts.

The affidavit for a search warrant showed that toys, reportedly purchased with PTA funds, were found in Neil’s vehicle, in her basement and in boxes in the back of their business by police.

The investigation found multiple transactions that seemed to show that the PTA funds were being used to prop up the downtown business with checks being written from Neil to McCurdy and then matching funds deposited into the bank account of the downtown retailer.

The alleged financial embezzlement was first discovered, according to the court documents, when the PTA found out its insurance policy was preparing to lapse, raising concerns about why funds were not available to pay the outstanding invoice.

On Feb. 16, 2024, members of the PTA decided to check the bank account balance on their own. They found only $81 in the account. Neil had verbally reported $10,000 was in the account, according to the affidavit.

Neil had allegedly not been completing the required monthly financial reports, and the last physical report was provided to the PTA by Neil in September 2023.

On Feb. 22, 2024, PTA members asked Neil to attend an emergency meeting to discuss the insurance and bank funds. Members said that Neil was “defensive” and told them she felt “like I am in trouble.”

After the conversation and request for a meeting, Neil reportedly deposited $5,048 into the PTA account.

Court orders for the personal bank account records belonging to Neil and McCurdy and their business found multiple inconsistencies between the sisters, the business and the PTA account including transfers by check between the accounts and personal withdrawals from both sisters to equal the $5,048 that was returned to the PTA account.

Itemized receipts for purchases on the PTA account showed a history of personal purchases on the PTA’s dime, including bottles of Diet Coke, energy drinks, printer ink, dog treats, guinea pig food, a clock and toys.

The toys that were purchased, the investigation showed, matched toys that were being sold at the downtown business.

During an interview with the Staunton Police Department, Neil told investigators that she had toys for the PTA in her vehicle and home. Investigators also asked for consent to look at toys at Queen City Games and Gifts. Neil and McCurdy were both present at the business when they told police that in addition to her home and car, there were also “several boxes in the back of the business that contain toys for the PTA.”

The boxes of toys were seized and returned to the school.

Of note, Neil was nominated by McCurdy for the role of treasurer in June 2023 when McCurdy, who had shown interest in the position, was not selected by other members. Members thought it would be best for McCurdy not to assume the position because she did not have a child attending A.R. Ware and was already on the School Board. McCurdy then nominated her sister, who was not present at the meeting.

A search warrant was requested on April 5, 2024, and was executed three days later at the residence of Neil on Selma Boulevard in Staunton. A cell phone in a purple case, an ASUS laptop and miscellaneous toys and items were seized under the authority of the warrant. It was believed that the two sisters used electronic devices to communicate about their alleged criminal activity.

The website and Facebook page for the business appear to have been shut down.

McCurdy resigned her position as School Board chair in May. She did not resign her seat on the board but did not seek re-election.

An advisement hearing is scheduled for McCurdy and Neil on Feb. 4 at 8:45 a.m. If an attorney is obtained before that date for both women, the hearing will likely be cancelled.

In Staunton Circuit Court, defendants are usually tried separately, according to Deputy Clerk Douglas Ciampi Jr. However, he said, if the pair are facing identical charges, it is possible they would be tried together.


 

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.

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