Former executive director of Leesburg Center for the Arts accused of stealing from group
LEESBURG – Maria Stefanovic, 44, the former executive director of the Leesburg Center for the Arts and the Leesburg Arts Festival, was arrested April 17 on a charge of grand theft less than $5,000. She was released from jail after posting a $2,000 bond.
The City of Leesburg announced in October that city auditors and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office were investigating possible “financial irregularities” and that Stefanovic had resigned from the nonprofit organization.
The city was concerned when board members told City Manager Al Minner that Stefanovic had resigned. City auditors began looking into it, but then turned their findings over to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which investigates nonprofits.
The arts board turned its findings over to the Lake Sheriff’s Office.
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The city gave the center $50,000 in the fall 2021. Some of that money was from the federal Cares Act designed to offset losses caused by the pandemic. The city gave the nonprofit $10,000 in 2020.
The sheriff’s office arrest affidavit accuses Stefanovic of misappropriating $4,123.74 over the years 2021-2022. Some of the money went to her company, Water Gypsy Coffee Co.
Arts board members confronted Stefanovic about questionable expenses and irregularities.
“The Board of Directors of the Leesburg Center for the Arts is fully aware of the current situation and has been fully cooperative with officials,” Amanda McLea, board chairwoman, said in an email statement issued April 19.
“The Leesburg Center for the Arts is moving forward with focus on the organization’s mission: Providing art education, awareness and opportunities to artists while enriching and inspiring our community with art and culture.”
According to its website, the 2023 Leesburg Arts Festival has been postponed a year.
In October, after she had resigned, Stefanovic told the Daily Commercial she mistakenly used the wrong debit card.
“There was no intent to harm in anything I did,” Stefanovic told the Daily Commercial. “I was overwhelmed and trying to get caught up. I had too many irons in the fire, and I stepped down because I couldn’t do it anymore. I just couldn’t keep up with all the work coming from the Art Center."
"My role as the Executive Director for the Leesburg Center for the Arts has come to an end,” Stefanovic wrote on Facebook in October. "I have had the pleasure of serving the Leesburg Center for the Arts (CFA) organization for several years, however, I have officially resigned from my position effective October 1st. I have decided to steer my focus unto my two businesses that are located here in Leesburg.”
She was the only one issued a credit card. She said she paid all the money back.
She gave the board a cashier’s check for $2,370.94 from Water Gypsy’s account, sheriff’s records stated.
On April 12, board members reviewed transactions on spreadsheets line by line. “Thirty-four were found to be theft,….” according to an arrest affidavit. Many items were grocery items, equipment and supplies that were shipped directly to her home. Electronics and computer equipment were also sent to her home in Leesburg.
Stefanovic also purchased Amazon items, returned them, “and directed those gifts to an Amazon gift card balance, which funds were later used for personal item purchases,” the affidavit says.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Theft charge filed against former Leesburg Center for the Arts staffer
