Osseo Woman Charged with Stealing $188K from School PTO

An Osseo woman is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a Maple Grove school group, according to criminal charges filed.

Emily McMullin, 43, was recently charged with one felony count of theft by swindle. 

Investigators allege that she stole $188,419 from the Elm Creek Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO).

In 2016, McMullin took on a leadership role as treasurer of the Elm Creek PTO, and was an authorized user of the organization’s bank account. 

She retained this role until August 2023, when the bank sent a letter to the board saying its account was overdrafted.

McMullin admitted to the leadership board that she had been “borrowing” money from the PTO to “keep afloat” at home. She apologized and offered to “make it right.”

The board reported her to law enforcement officials. 

Investigators found that she began making unauthorized withdrawals less than two months after she assumed the role of treasurer. 

 “The PTO debit card was also used in hundreds of personal purchases, including childcare expenses, student loan payments, groceries, and takeout food purchases,” the criminal complaint read. “The unauthorized transactions included checks written out to [McMullin] and deposited into her personal bank account. Once in [McMullin’s] personal bank account, the money was used for mortgage payments, bills, and other personal expenses. [She] also withdrew cash from the PTO bank or from ATMs. At various points, Defendant did make some nominal deposits from her personal bank account back to the PTO account.”

McMullin was charged by summons and is required to appear in court. If she does not appear, the court will issue a warrant for her arrest.

Maple Grove | Osseo