Cranston PTO president arrested for embezzlement of school funds

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island State Police said Wednesday that a member of the Cranston School Committee and President of the Stone Hill Elementary School Parent Teacher Group was arrested on embezzlement charges.

Tera Norberg was arrested and charged with unlawful appropriation, embezzlement, filing a false document, and obstructing an officer in execution of duty.

The arrest came after the Cranston School Department Business Office launched an internal inquiry into missing school funds.

Norberg was asked to provide bank statements to the office, and reported discovering the theft and claimed to identify those responsible. She also provided a notarized document that said the individual would pay back the funds.

The state police were notified of the investigation and launched their own this month. Norberg then admitted she fabricated the identity of those responsible and stole the missing funds using a debit card associated with the parent teacher group.

Norberg was arraigned and released on $10,000 personal recognizance. A pre-arraignment conference has been scheduled for Oct. 11.

The State Police Financial Crimes Unit is asking anyone with additional information to call 401-764-5179.