BELLEVILLE — An East St. Louis school district is suing a former assistant program director for allegedly resigning without first returning funds intended for Gear Up Grant trips.
East Saint Louis School District No. 189 filed a complaint Feb. 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Anitra Latkzian-Brown, alleging she unlawfully converted the plaintiff's property to her own use and benefits.
According to the complaint, between January and October 2018, the district was the owner of monetary funds related to various Gear Up Grant program trips in the total amount of $46,369.64, which were previously advanced to Latkzian-Brown for the trips. However, the plaintiff alleges Latkzian-Brown resigned from her employment on Oct. 30, 2018 without completing the necessary reconciliation or return of the funds.
As a result, the whereabouts of these funds remains unresolved.
The plaintiff alleges Latkzian-Brown has failed and refuses to provide a written accounting with receipts.
East St. Louis School District No. 189 seeks trial by jury, actual damages of $46,369.64 and punitive damages in excess of $50,000, plus interest, attorney fees, court costs and all further just and proper relief. It is represented by attorneys Garrett P. Hoerner and K. Andrew Hoerner of Becker, Hoerner, Thompson & Ysursa, PC in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court Case number 19-L-113