School Scandals
Plano ISD employee embezzles over $2.5 million from district in elaborate fraud scheme
For about a decade, a Plano ISD employee used the district's coffers as his personal piggy bank and embezzled more than $2.5 million. Kris Wilson Gentz, 59, has pleaded guilty to his role in the fraud conspiracy, which occurred between 2004 and 2013.
Gentz was a manager in the security and fire systems department at Plano ISD when he set up fake companies called Fire System Specialists and Digital Security Solutions.
Kris Gentz generated fraudulent invoices for services and products from nonexistent companies and pocketed the payments.
Working with two co-conspirators, Gentz generated fraudulent invoices for services and products from the nonexistent companies. Plano ISD paid out the invoices, which Gentz and his co-conspirators split evenly.
The elaborate scheme came crashing down when a Plano ISD security department employee noticed one such specious invoice.
Plano ISD superintendent Richard Matkin opened an investigation into the matter and placed Gentz on leave before recommending his termination in December 2013.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney John M. Bales commended Plano ISD's efforts.
"Public corruption always involves the breach of a position of trust," Bales said, "and, even apart from the financial impact, erodes the trust of taxpayers and the community. We commend Plano ISD for discovering the corrupt conduct and reporting it to the authorities, and we recognize our law enforcement partners for their quick action in addressing this case."
Gentz's sentencing date has not yet been set. He faces up to five years in federal prison.
