United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

FORMER DISD EMPLOYEE PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHARGE

Gloria Grace Orapello, a former employee at the Dallas Independent School District (DISD), pled guilty today in federal court to one count of theft from an organization receiving federal funds, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper, of the Northern District of Texas. Orapello entered her guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney. Orapello faces up to ten years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. As part of her plea agreement with the government, Orapello agrees to pay $100,000 restitution to the DISD. She is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle on May 17, 2007.

As an employee in the Administrative Division of DISD, Orapello received a credit card, also known as a procurement card (P-Card), as part of her employment at DISD, knowing that the P-Card was to be used “for district purchases only.” In fact, DISD employees, including Orapello, signed Procurement Cardholder Agreement Forms that stated, “I understand that under no circumstances will I use the procurement card to make personal purchases, either for others or myself.” Orapello admitted that she knowingly purchased numerous personal items for her own use with a P-Card issued to her by DISD.

U.S. Attorney Roper said, “DISD receives millions of dollars each year from the federal government and DISD pays its credit card bills from funds containing federal dollars. The federal government has a strong interest when employees, who are entrusted with DISD credit cards, abuse that trust by charging personal items on the cards.”

U.S. Attorney Roper also said, “The investigation is very much ongoing and this office has not decided against prosecuting any employee.”

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Education. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Hastings.

###