Shell companies and theft: Carrollton schools superintendent, board member facing charges

CARROLLTON − Carrollton Exempted Village Schools Superintendent David Quattrochi, board member Michael Pozderac and two others are accused of setting up two shell companies to bilk the school district out of nearly $50,000.

The pair, along with Pozderac's wife and district teacher, Mary Jackie Pozderac, and fourth person, Gus Nickolas, are facing a host of charges in a criminal indictment made public this week.

The group is facing felony counts of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, money laundering, theft in office, grand theft, having an unlawful interest in a public contract and telecommunications fraud.

The charge of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity is a first-degree felony.

Quattrochi, 54, of Steubenville, Michael Pozderac, 58, and Mary Jackie Pozderac, 54, both of Carrollton, also face additional counts of prohibited representation by a present official and accepting unlawful compensation. Nickolas faces an additional count of receiving stolen property, according to state Auditor Keith Faber.

Special investigators from Faber's office looked into the matter, resulting in the indictment through Carroll County Common Pleas Court.

More:Carrollton schools Superintendent David Quattrochi suspended, investigation pending

Due to a potential conflict of interest, the Carroll County Prosecutor’s Office has appointed investigators from the state Auditor's Office to act as special prosecutors in the case.

Quattrochi resigning, Carrollton school board responds

Board of Education President Dan Ries issued a statement Thursday, saying Quattrochi has submitted his resignation for approval by the board.

He said the board had suspended Quattrochi and Mary Jackie Pozderac and filed misconduct reports with the Ohio Department of Education. The board scheduled an emergency meeting for 3 p.m. Friday to discuss employment and an investigation in executive session. The board said it had asked the Pozderacs to submit their resignations.

"Our district takes seriously our work to maintain the highest standards for fiscal responsibility and ethical practices in our operations," Ries said in a statement, adding that he and board members "are deeply concerned about the serious nature of the allegations.

"It is disappointing to learn that three recognized leaders in our district may have used their positions for personal gain," he added. "Their alleged behavior is inconsistent with the strong values we hold within our district."

The statement said Carrollton wants "to minimize any disruption within the district and maintain the financial integrity of the district."

A message seeking comment was emailed to Quattrochi. And a message was left on a cellphone number he had used. Messages seeking comment were also left for the Pozderacs on Michael Pozderac's cellphone.

State auditor outlines Carrollton Schools scheme

According to Faber's office, special investigators began probing the district after learning that a vendor’s address listed on a purchase order was the same as a school board member's address.

The Pozderacs, Quattrochi and Nickolas are accused of using two shell companies, The Phoenix Rising and Pozitively Quality Air, to sell air purifiers totaling $70,450 to the school district. The four allegedly divided about $47,000 in resulting profits among themselves while attempting to hide their involvement from the district, according to the auditor's office.

The Canton Repository submitted a public records request on Nov. 18 for records, such as contracts and correspondence, between the school district and The Phoenix Rising. As of Friday, the district had not yet filled the request.

Carrollton schools paid Phoenix for Vollara Active Pure Air Purifiers using its federal coronavirus relief funds.

According to the school district’s vendor list, Phoenix’s address is 4786 Dressler Road NW in Jackson Township. A Google Map search shows that a UPS Store is there.

Pozitively Quality Air does not appear on the school district's general list of vendors or on the list of companies it paid using coronavirus relief funds, according to records that were given to the Repository as part of a public records request.

State records show that Michael Pozderac incorporated Pozitively Quality Air in March 2021.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Carrollton schools officials, teacher charged with theft in office