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Madeleine Baran
St. Paul, Minn.

St. Paul School District employee charged with stealing $21,000

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A former St. Paul School District employee has been charged with stealing more than $21,260 from the school system.

According to a criminal complaint, Sandra Jean Leis allegedly falsified a checkbook register and used a supervisor's stamp signature to write 41 school district checks to herself between September 2005 and January 2009.

Leis, 66, of St. Paul, worked as the Hubbs Center for 15 years. Her job included issuing checks for school purchases and invoices.

After Leis retired in June, school district officials noticed a discrepancy in the checking accounts and discovered the theft, the complaint says.

In an interview with police on Nov. 4, Leis admitted writing checks to herself without permission and manipulating the check registers to cover the theft, according to the complaint.

"Leis gave no specific reasons for the theft, however said she must have needed extra money at those times," the complaint said.

Police told Leis that she would need to return the money. The complaint says the Leis gave the school district a $15,000 check last week.

The Ramsey County Attorney's Office charged Leis with one count of felony theft by swindle.

She will make her first appearance in Ramsey County District Court on Dec. 16.