Lori Ann St. Thomas, a former principal of a Broward County Catholic school, stands accused of siphoning more than $200,000 from her employer through a payroll fraud scheme. Arrested yesterday, the 61-year-old ex-administrator allegedly received unauthorized extra pay over the span of nine years, the Miami Herald reported.
According to Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives, who delved into the case after being alerted by St. Coleman Catholic School's administrative staff, St. Thomas funneled $238,196 into her bank account through direct deposits not sanctioned by the school's priest; these deposits, occurring from 2016 to 2025, represent a nine-year legacy that the community trusted but now lies fractured by betrayal. St. Thomas' bond was set at $50,000 following accusations of first-degree larceny and fraud.
With her service at St. Coleman spanning from 2004 to June 2024, and a broader tenure within the Archdiocese of Miami starting in 1986—a fact confirmed on Local 10's website—St. Thomas' involvement with the Catholic education system has been extensive. Post-St. Coleman became the principal for Mary Help of Christians School in Parkland until her employment with the Archdiocese was terminated in October 2024.
The Archdiocese of Miami, navigating the delicate terrain of an active legal matter, remains tight-lipped, offering a brief statement: "As this is an active legal matter, we are unable to further comment at this time." Currently held at the BSO Main Jail, St. Thomas faces a charge of obtaining property over $50,000 by fraud, none of which can be further discussed by the Archdiocese at this time, as noted by Local 10.
