DC AG sues former non-profit treasurer for misuse of $18K in elementary school funds

WASHINGTON (7News) — D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit Monday against the former treasurer and board member of a parent-teacher non-profit for allegedly spending the organization’s funds on personal expenses.

The nonprofit, Parents Organized for the Power of Powell School (POPPS), was created to support the teachers, students and staff of Powell Elementary School in Ward 4, according to the lawsuit.

The suit alleges that Robynn Chandler-Mitchell abused her leadership role by spending POPPS’ funds raised by the Powell community on car payments, groceries, shoe stores, restaurants and nail salons in violation of D.C.’s Nonprofit Corporation Act (NCA).

“Any nonprofit operating in the District of Columbia must follow DC law and ensure that its funds are used for designated nonprofit purposes—in this case to support the Powell Elementary community—not for personal, private gain,” said Attorney General Schwalb. “Ms. Chandler-Mitchell exploited her trusted position as Treasurer of POPPS, misappropriating money meant for school supplies, a community garden, and other school initiatives. She admitted—under oath—to taking these funds, which she has yet to repay, so we’re filing suit to ensure she returns the money. The Office of Attorney General will continue to enforce the laws governing nonprofit and charitable organizations, ensuring that charitable funds are not improperly used or diverted.”

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An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that between October 2021 and September 2022, Chandler-Mitchell transferred POPPS funds to herself, used the organization’s debit card for personal expenses and withdrew cash from the POPPS bank account spending $18,747.11, according to the lawsuit.

Those funds were meant for Powell Elementary School.

During that time, Chandler-Mitchell repeatedly informed the POPPS Board that its finances were sound, even when her personal spending caused the bank account to carry a negative balance for several months, the lawsuit alleges.

Through the lawsuit, the OAG is seeking to ensure Chandler-Mitchell repays POPPS the misappropriated funds in full and to permanently ban her from ever serving as director or officer of a District nonprofit.

“The Powell Padres Parent-Teacher Association appreciates the Office of the Attorney General’s efforts to recover funds on behalf of the Powell Elementary School community and its volunteer-run PTA,” said the POPPS Board of Directors. “The Powell Padres Board of Directors will continue to cooperate throughout this process.”

Read the full lawsuit HERE.