CLAYTON – A former Johnston County Public Schools employee was arrested Tuesday on embezzlement charges.
On February 11th, an internal audit uncovered financial irregularities at West Clayton Elementary School at 1012 S. Lombard Street in Clayton. Initially, approximately $4,479 was reported missing. A criminal investigation by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office uncovered $5,467 in funds allegedly missing from West Clayton Elementary bank deposits between September 2019 and January 2020.
Latonya Angel Eason, 42, of Smithfield was arrested yesterday on five felony counts of embezzlement. Eason had worked as a secretary and treasurer at West Clayton Elementary since June 24, 2019. Officials said she resigned from her position on February 11, 2020, the same day the audit uncovered the missing funds.
Eason began work with Johnston County Public Schools in August 2000 as a teacher assistant and bus driver at Selma Elementary. She left Selma Elementary in January 2019 for a job as a receptionist at West Clayton Elementary. She held that position for five months and in June 2019 was hired as the secretary/treasurer at West Clayton.
Latonya Eason was released from custody Tuesday on a $40,000 unsecured bond.
