Former Castle Rock Elementary Volunteer Sentenced to Three Years Probation

A former Diamond Bar elementary school volunteer who previously pleaded no contest to charges related to the theft of funds from a parent fundraising group was sentenced today to three years probation.

Lisa May, also known as Lisa Haygood, appeared in Pomona Superior Court for the sentencing hearing and to pay the court ordered judgement of $44,602.

If she had not paid the judgment, she would have faced jail time.

Haygood previously had been charged with six felony counts including grand theft and forgery.  The former Castle Rock Elementary School Community Club volunteer was accused of forging a name on checks belonging to the nonprofit organization totaling $39,651. She pleaded no contest to one count of grand theft of personal property in July.

The defendant did not speak directly to the charges during the hearing but did answer questions in a quiet voice from Judge Robert Martinez. Haygood told the judge that she is in college studying political science and history with the goal to become a researcher or a community college teacher.

Rowena Joe, current treasurer of Castle Rock's Community Club, which is similar to a PTA, read a victim's impact statement.

When Haygood became treasurer in July 2006, the club had more than $60,000 in its bank accounts, but five years later when she left, the account had $15,000 and the organization owed $25,000 in unpaid bills, Joe said.

The club's tax returns were never filed with the IRS or the Franchise Tax Board during Haygood's tenure, and as a result, the club's non-profit status was revoked, donations were lost, and the group had to spend nearly $1,000 to reinstate the non-profit status, she said.  Also, there were 35 checks bounced resulting in $1,500 in bank fees, she said.

"Lisa May Haygood's actions are inexcusable and deplorable, stealing donations that were meant to enhance our children's educational experience," she said.

To read the entire victim's impact statement, see the attached pdf.

Detectives from the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station took Haygood into custody March 5. The theft took place during a six-year period, according to sheriff's investigators.

Other members of the group reportedly discovered the missing money in June 2011 when they reviewed the financial books and records, according to a complaint the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office filed March 13.

Besides the three years probation, the judge sentenced Haygood to two days in county jail, with time served.  He ordered her to pay $630 in court fines and complete 150 hours of community service by October 2014.  Haygood may not be involved in any financial activities and must stay away from the Castle Rock campus and members of the community club, he said.

"You have ambitions in life," Martinez said.  "If you are not successful in probation you will go to prison. I will send you there. Get on with your life and show you are responsible, and you have a chance in three years to have this reduced to a misdemeanor."