Former Mustang Schools Payroll Director Sentenced 18 Months for $470K Wire Fraud

Kim Weinrich, former payroll director for Mustang Public Schools in Oklahoma, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for wire fraud and filing a false tax return after defrauding the district of approximately $470,000 over nearly six years. Weinrich manipulated payroll software to inflate her paychecks and underreport federal and state tax withholdings, which not only enriched her but also affected several employees' tax refunds. She falsely made it appear she paid substantial federal income taxes while actually withholding none, and filed a tax return reporting significantly less income than she received through her fraudulent activities. Weinrich pleaded guilty to these charges in December 2024 and was ordered to pay nearly $600,000 in restitution to Mustang Public Schools and the IRS. U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester condemned her actions as theft of taxpayer money meant for students, families, and employees, praising investigators and prosecutors for safeguarding public education funds. The sentence reflects a commitment to holding public officials accountable for misappropriation of funds intended for educational purposes.