By STEVE FREKER
MALDEN — A 48-year-old former Malden K-8 school Parent Teacher Organization treasurer pleaded not guilty in Malden District Court Wednesday morning for allegedly making nearly $11,000 in unauthorized purchases dating to 2015 using the PTO credit card. Her trial date was set for July 20.
Jane Marenghi was charged by Malden Police in December 2016 with larceny over $250 after a three-month investigation and was scheduled to be arraigned in Malden District Court, according to police.
Marenghi was represented by attorney Darryl Zules, who made a motion to dismiss the larceny charge, stating that several PTO members in addition to Marenghi had access to the debit card used to make the alleged unauthorized purchases. Zules declined comment on the case Wednesday afternoon.
The situation first came to light in September 2016 when Forestdale School principal Donald Concannon, acting on inquiries from other school PTO volunteers about the account’s balance when they were planning a fundraiser, contacted Malden Police after checking the Forestdale PTO bank statements.
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According to reports, Concannon and his staff’s research alleged there were some 50 “questionable purchases” totaling nearly $11,000 dating back some 18 months, to May 2015, when Marenghi assumed the post of Forestdale PTO treasurer.
The Malden Police began an investigation in concert with investigators from the Middlesex District Attorney’s office. About two weeks after the Forestdale principal turned over the bank records to authorities, police said there was an incident the school where Marenghi allegedly verbally threatened Concannon regarding the finances issue. Concannon sought and received a charge of intimidation of a witness against Marenghi.
Police said in March a judge denied a motion by Marenghi’s Zules to dismiss the larceny charge, but at the same hearing did rule against the witness intimidation allegation.