SCHOOL DISTRICT PAYROLL WORKER ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLEMENT

An employee with the Morongo Unified School District was arrested last month, accused of embezzling from the district. Administrators called police about possible embezzlement on November 12, 2014. Superintendent Tom Baumgarten told Z107.7 shortly after, that the employee–whom he refused to name, but who is now known to be Karin Buttinelli, 49, of Joshua Tree–was placed on administrative leave while detectives investigated the suspected embezzlement. Buttinelli worked in the school district’s payroll and benefits office handling payroll for certificated employees, and is also listed as a notary public. Court records show the alleged embezzlement occurred on August 29, 2014. After the investigation, the District Attorney’s office issued an arrest warrant on February 12 for Buttinelli for embezzlement by a public officer over $400; investigators have not released information about how much money she is suspected of embezzling. Karin Buttinelli was arrested February 12 at her home in the 9000 block of Tortuga Trail in Joshua Tree and arraigned February 13. Buttinelli was released on $75,000 bail February 17. She is scheduled to be back in court for a preliminary hearing on May 28.