A former Chicago Public Schools principal who was charged in a 2021 wire fraud case died before she could appear for her sentencing hearing on Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
Sarah Jackson Abedelal’s attorney informed the judge on Wednesday that Abedelal was found dead at an unknown location on Tuesday. It is yet to be known how she died.
Formerly the principal of Joseph Brennemann Elementary School, Abedelal was indicted for having CPS employees submit false overtime from 2018 to 2019.
RELATED STORIES
“Abedelal told certain school employees that she would authorize overtime pay for hours the employees would not be required to work, and she directed them to then deliver the proceeds of the unearned overtime to Abedelal or another individual, the indictment states,” per the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.
READ ALSO: Twin sisters born to deaf parents top their graduating class as valedictorian and salutatorian
Abedelal reportedly told school employees who received overtime that the money was for school expenses, however, she used the cash for her own personal use, including on her home’s mortgage.
All in all, she collected at least $200,000 in CPS money, officials said.
Abedelal was charged with 10 counts of wire fraud, with each count punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.
