Crime & Safety

Two FCPS Employees Charged with Embezzlement, Money Laundering

The two women allegedly embezzled more than $100,000 over the last three years, allegedly through falsifying timesheets.

By Sherell Williams

Two employees of the Fairfax County Public Schools district (FCPS) were charged with embezzlement and money laundering Monday.

Fairfax County Police believe Sonya Swansbrough, 46, of Woodbridge, who is the principal of Poe Middle School in Annandale; and Bethany Speed, 38, of Burke, an administrative assistant at JEB Stuart High School; have embezzled more than $100,000 since May of 2010.

Speed is Swansbrough's former finance technician, according to a message sent out to Poe parents by Cluster 3 Assistant Superintendent Douglas Tyson. 

The message indicated that Swansbrough has been "temporarily relieved of her duties" and Poe Middle School Assistant Principal Colleen Noone will take over as principal for the time being.

The charges against the two women comes about two months after FCPS asked Fairfax County police to look into "allegations involving falsifying timesheets for personal financial gain," in late September, according to a news release from the Fairfax County Police Department.

The investigation was a joint effort between FCPD Financial Crimes Unit detectives and the FCPS human resources office.

Swansbrough's son, Brenton Rusnak, 20, of Radford, was also charged with receiving stolen property in connection to this case. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, by e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637. Individuals can also call Fairfax County Police directly at 703-691-2131.  

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