(August 16) RIALTO—Judy Oakes, an accountant with the Rialto Unified School District, was arrested by the Rialto Police Department on suspicion of embezzlement, burglary and grand theft August 7.
One report was that Oakes, the widow of Jack Oakes, a former principal of Ramona-Allesandro Elementary School in San Bernardino, was in possession of a large amount of cash at the time of her arrest.
Since 1993, Oakes had worked as an accountant for the Rialto district’s nutrition department.
The district placed Oakes on administrative leave following her arrest. On August 8, she tendered her resignation.
Oakes, 48 of San Bernardino, was arrested while at work at the district’s nutrition services offices at 151 S. Cactus Avenue and booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. She was able to post $50,000 bail within three hours and was released.
Authorities say the known disappearance of money from the 26,408-enrollment district’s coffers is a relatively recent development and that Oakes’ thefts did not appear to have commenced until June. Because of her position controlling some of the district’s financial books, a forensic audit is planned to determine if there were previous thefts.  An account discrepancy triggered the investigation that led to Oakes’ arrest.
At press time, district officials were undertaking an inquiry into reports of a personal relationship between Oakes and the district superintendent, Harold Cebrun.
At a specially-scheduled board meeting this week, Cebrun denied any wrongdoing.
“I’ve served this district with honor and integrity for the past four and a half years,” he said. “This crime is an isolated incident of one person… not involving me.”