Suburban woman charged after over $12,000 in unauthorized purchases were made on Elementary school PTA’s bank account

Eli Ong
·1 min read

PALATINE, Ill. — The treasurer for a elementary school Parent-Teachers Association in the northwest suburbs was charged Tuesday after a police investigation showed more than $12,000 in unauthorized purchases were made on the PTA’s banking account over the course of nearly seven months.

According to the Palatine Police Department, Gray M. Sanborn Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association treasurer Melissa Tronina was charged with theft of over $10,000 and under $100,000 Tuesday, a class-two felony.

Palatine PD said on Jan. 19, 2024 they were notified about suspicious activity on the PTA’s checking account. After launching an investigation where police reviewed bank statements, debit card purchases and numerous other pieces of evidence, Palatine police officials said their investigation found Tronina was responsible for over $12,000 in unauthorized purchases made on the PTA’s banking account, going back to her election as treasurer in August 2023.

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Police said Tronina, a 41-year-old Rolling Meadows resident, also had a valid warrant from Cook County for a previous offense of Continuing Financial Crimes.

Tronina is scheduled for a detention hearing in Cook County District Court Wednesday, March 20.

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