Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Former program director pleads not guilty in theft of School District funds

A former department head with the Clark County School District pleaded not guilty today to 52 charges related to the theft of nearly $300,000 from her employer.

Priscilla Rocha is accused of falsifying time sheets, purchasing electronics for herself and taking money collected from students in the Adult English Language Acquisition program, according to Metro Police.

Rocha, who is also the Nevada director of the League of United Latin American Citizens, retired in April as head of the English program amid a Metro Police investigation into the alleged thefts, which investigators say occurred between October 2005 and March 2014.

She faces charges that include burglary, theft, possession of stolen property and unlawful use of public money.

A grand jury indicted Rocha on July 18 along with her son, Jerome Rocha, activist Andres Mendoza, who formerly led LULAC’s local branch, Donnie Placencia and Jaime Espitia.

Jerome Rocha and Donny Placencia also pleaded not guilty at this morning’s hearing in Clark County District Court.

Andres Mendoza and Jaime Espitia did not enter pleas because they are awaiting court-appointed attorneys, court spokeswoman Mary Ann Price said.

Placencia and the Rochas will appear in court again on Wednesday for a bail hearing.

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