Maple Grove school PTO member accused of swindling $188K from group's account

A former parent-teacher organization (PTO) member at a Maple Grove school is accused of stealing more than $188,000 in funds from the group's bank account over seven years.

Emily McMullin, 44, is charged with one count of theft by swindle after allegedly using her position as treasurer in Elm Creek Elementary School's PTO to transfer thousands of dollars from its account to her own.

According to the complaint, McMullin – who had been part of the Elm Creek Elementary School PTO since mid-2016 – made multiple unauthorized payments using PTO accounts, including spending on her childcare expenses, student loan payments, groceries, mortgage payments, and takeout food.

McMullin was given access to the PTO bank account through her position and was added as an authorized user. She held the role until mid-2023 and assisted the incoming board with the transition process.

When the new board took over in August 2023, they received a letter from the PTO’s bank indicating that the account was overdrawn. When McMullin was confronted with this information, the complaint says she admitted to the new board that she had been "borrowing" funds to "keep afloat" at home.

She apologized for her actions, saying she wanted to "make it right." After the meeting, the new board reported the incident to the police.

During the investigation, police found out only one person was the president of the PTO during McMullin's tenure there. The former president told investigators that she completely trusted McMullin and did not participate in managing the PTO funds.

According to the complaint, she also told police that she would have difficulty getting McMullin to provide documents or other information, often making up excuses that she was busy or accidentally used an old account.

McMullin's first unauthorized transaction occurred on or about September 19, 2016, less than two months after she became treasurer. Using the PTO debit card, she spent over $200 with a waste removal company.

As well as the aforementioned spending on groceries, childcare, takeout, and student loans and mortgage payments, the unauthorized transactions included checks written to McMullin and deposited into her bank account, as well as cash withdrawals from the PTO bank from ATMs.

The complaint notes that she made some "nominal deposits" from her personal bank account back to the PTO account at various points.

Through the investigation, police determined that from September 19, 2016, to July 30, 2023, McMullin took around $188,419 in funds from the PTO for personal use.

Her first court appearance is scheduled for September 30 at 2 p.m.