Schools move to ensure it recovers alleged losses

By John Howell
Posted 3/15/16

The Warwick School Department is scheduled to appear before Superior Court Justice Allen Rubine this Friday on its motion for a prejudgment attachment on the home of David and Jana …

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Schools move to ensure it recovers alleged losses

Posted

The Warwick School Department is scheduled to appear before Superior Court Justice Allen Rubine this Friday on its motion for a prejudgment attachment on the home of David and Jana LaPlante.

Former director of school buildings and grounds David LaPlante is alleged to have embezzled $72,662.67 from the department between July 1, 2014 and November 2015. LaPlante allegedly paid for fencing and other improvements made to the house at 100 Fairway Lane using school funds.

According to information found online, the house was listed on the market Jan. 11 for $209,900. The listing was removed on Feb. 10.

The cape with 1,536 square feet of space is on a 7,000-square-foot lot literally behind the School Department administration offices off Warwick Avenue. According to Zillow.com, the property last sold in 1993 for $111,000. It carries an assessed value of $181,900, according to city land records.

In the motion filed Feb. 26 by Michael Polak, who is representing the school department, the department reasons there is a strong probability that judgment will be rendered in favor of the plaintiff (the schools) in this action.

The department goes on to argue there is a need to furnish the department with security in the amount sought for satisfaction of such a judgment, together with interest, costs and counsel fees.

Also on Feb. 26 the department initiated a civil suit against LaPlante alleging he converted materials and equipment brought at Lowe’s Home Improvement, Cap City, F.W. Webb and other vendors used by the department for his own personal use. The schools allege he embezzled $72,662.67, and the suit notes that by law LaPlante is civilly liable for twice the value of the School Department’s damages.

The department initiated an investigation into LaPlante when a member of his department noticed inconsistencies in department transactions while he was on vacation last November. Superintendent Philip Thornton placed LaPlante on unpaid leave while Warwick police investigated the matter. The School Committee terminated him on Dec. 8.

LaPlante was arrested on Dec. 23 on felony charges of stealing more than $70,000 of school equipment.

Early in the investigation, it was alleged LaPlante personally delivered tools and materials to worksites and that while many of those items reached their intended destinations, others didn’t.

Also, there appeared to be an increase in the acquisition of items using school vendors and accounts following the August macroburst that brought a tree down on LaPlante’s house. Items acquired include chain saws, fencing and a generator.

Comments

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  • richardcorrente

    If Mayor Avedisian didn't see this massive theft going on right under his nose, he is incompetent. If he did, he is an accomplice to a felony, in my opinion.

    Either way, it happened on his watch. He is ultimately responsible to the taxpayers. This will never happen when I am Mayor. I won't spend most of my day at RIPTA or on vacation, like he does and I will be accountable and responsible.

    Richard Corrente

    Democrat for Mayor

    Tuesday, March 15, 2016 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    I like the job you are doing Mayer Corrente.

    With you in office, I expect crime to be zero, property taxes to plummet, test scores to soar, gas prices to drop,. incomes to go up, a chicken in every pot, and a car in every garage.

    Wednesday, March 16, 2016 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Justanidiot,

    Thank you for yet another positive comment.

    Although you might be a bit "over-optimistic" I agree with your basic message.

    I will expect crime to get close to zero as you predict because I just won't allow the LaPlante-like behavior to exist "on my watch". I just won't tolerate it like the present Mayor does.

    I AM committed to cutting taxes, as you say.

    Test scores WILL go up, as you say, because I WILL get our students Chromebooks that they desperately need.

    Gas prices, unfortunately, are beyond my control.

    Incomes should increase as our economy does, and I will work for that as well.

    And as far as a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage...

    well...

    We'll have to work on those issues later.

    Thanks again.

    Richard Corrente

    Democrat for Mayor

    Wednesday, March 16, 2016 Report this

  • Thecaptain

    When will the dialogue be enhanced? No question as to why Justanidiot took that name.

    Wednesday, March 16, 2016 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    Sorry, I misspoke.

    I meant to say a chicken in every garage and a car in every pot.

    Sorry about that.

    Carry on.

    Thursday, March 17, 2016 Report this

  • RISchadenfreude

    Between the lien, damages and legal fees, he'll be lucky if he has any assets left after he's found guilty and liable.

    Worst of all, he's lost his reputation and the trust of the people of Warwick over nothing but simple greed and a sense of entitlement. Good riddance.

    Thursday, March 17, 2016 Report this