Longtime principal used $38K in school funds for all-inclusive vacations with friends: DOJ

A longtime Boston principal allegedly used nearly $40,000 in school funds to pay for all-inclusive vacations with her friends, the Department of Justice reported Tuesday.

According to a DOJ press release, Naia Wilson, the former head of school for New Mission High School, was charged with one count of wire fraud after allegedly misusing $38,806 in school funds for her personal use.

New Mission High School, where Wilson was employed for 13 years, is a "portfolio-based Pilot School, according to its website.

The DOJ explained that the high school received funds from Boston Public Schools, which were held in a bank account managed by an external fiscal agent. Wilson, 60, was required to submit check requests to the agent to use the school's funds.

According to the agency, from September 2016 through May 2019, Wilson requested checks from the school's account that were issued in the names of other individuals but then deposited the money into her own bank account.

Wilson was accused of using the school's funds to finance personal trips.

"Wilson allegedly requested checks from the external fiscal agent that were used to pay for two all-inclusive personal vacations to Barbados for Wilson and her friends in 2016 and 2018. For both the 2016 and 2018 Barbados trips, Wilson requested that the external fiscal agent issue checks payable to other people who went on the trips and then converted that money to pay for the all-inclusive hotel and airfare," the press release stated.

Wilson now faces up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud charges. She pleaded guilty to the charge and agreed to pay restitution.

Acting special agent in charge of Boston's Federal Bureau of Investigation Christopher DiMenna accused Wilson of "abusing her authority and using the school's budget as her own personal slush fund."

"Today's charges should serve as a reminder to municipal workers everywhere that there are serious consequences for such shameful conduct, and it is the taxpayers they serve and answer to at the end of the day," DiMenna added.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy said, "Protecting children is one of the very top priorities of this Office and threats come in all forms. Here, Ms. Wilson is accused of diverting school funds for her personal benefit. We will not allow this type of gross abuse of authority and responsibility fly under the radar. Individuals who take advantage of public trust to line their pockets will be investigated and held accountable."

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