Former Tabernacle HSA president faces charges
Jennifer Quartarone has been charged with theft by unlawful taking.
The Tabernacle Home and School Association has recently undergone leadership changes due to matters regarding the former president, Jennifer Quartarone.
According to the State Police, Quartarone was charged with theft by unlawful taking on Aug. 30.
The HSA officers sent out an email to all members of the Tabernacle HSA regarding the incidents leading up to the charge. The email stated Quartarone was responsible for making deposits to the HSA bank account, and the officers of the HSA found certain deposits were not made — months after fundraising events took place.
The email said when questioned by members of the HSA, “Quartarone reported that she had made the deposits but then later changed her story and told us she had found the funds, partly in her home safe and partly in a family member’s car glove box.”
At that time, the funds were received by the HSA officers and immediately deposited into the HSA bank account. The officers requested her resignation as a HSA officer, and upon receipt of her resignation letter, she was removed from all HSA bank accounts, according to the email.
The email stated that after further investigation of book fair records, the statements provided by Scholastic Corporation (the company HSA used for book fairs), did not match the deposits Quartarone made and the deposits were short the 25 percent cash profit the HSA should have received as the sponsor of the book fairs.
“Profits from the February book fairs of 2016, 2017 and 2018, amounting to $6,881.98 were determined to be missing. On June 12, we presented Mrs. Quartarone with a letter requesting these funds to be returned to the organization within one week. On June 19, we received a check from her in the amount of $6,881.98,” the email reads. “A continued in-depth investigation into all past financial records since Mrs. Quartarone became an officer identified additional missing funds. Upon this realization, we contacted and reported these discrepancies to the New Jersey State Police.”
Superintendent Glenn Robbins commented on the matter by saying, “The circumstances that were brought to our attention by our new HSA leadership team are disappointing and disheartening for our community. However, we will trust and respect the judicial system during these times, and continue to support our new HSA leadership as they move forward to enhance opportunities for our children.”
Current Tabernacle HSA President Amy Lepsis also commented, “While we are heartbroken by the recent discoveries regarding the former HSA president, the current officers of the Tabernacle HSA are dedicated to our Tabernacle children, schools and community and are looking forward to a wonderful school year.”
Quartarone could not be reached for comment.
The email stated that procedures have since been put into place to lessen the chances of a similar incident taking place. These procedures include deposit and withdrawal forms that require double signatures; all funds will be required to be double counted at the end of events and brought to the bank in tamper-proof deposit bags to be sealed and opened only at the bank with the bank tellers; checks and balances within treasury and financial recordings; accounting software will be used for record keeping, transparency and accountability; cash and checks will be deposited immediately following events and online payment options will be provided for HSA members.
