The former superintendent of the New Caney (Texas) school district is facing theft and tampering charges after being accused of submitting at least $2,500 worth of fake travel expenses to the district.
The Community Impact Newspaper reports that Kenn Franklin, who resigned from the school system in November, has been charged with aggregate theft by a public servant and tampering with a government record.
Franklin served as superintendent in New Caney for about 11 years before his abrupt resignation.
According to arrest warrant affidavits from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, there had been some suspicion that Franklin was creating and submitting travel vouchers for work trips he did not take.
Franklin's personal and work vehicles were observed two different times in New Caney rather than at work-related trips for which Franklin submitted expense reports.
On Oct. 6, Franklin was observed at his RV home in New Caney after he said he was going to a meeting in San Antonio. The next day, Franklin submitted a travel expense for $259 for the San Antonio trip.
Upon further investigation, investigators found that 22 of the 24 travel expenses Franklin submitted in 2020 were inconsistent.
Franklin also submitted travel expenses for trips to Waco, San Antonio and Austin; however, license plate data from toll roads showed Franklin traveled instead to Tyler, Texas, where his wife lives.
