Former Studies Director and Superintendent for Career and Technology Education Accused of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, Violation of Duties of a Custodian of Public Monies, and Fraudulent Schemes and Practices

YAVAPAI COUNTY – Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced today that a State Grand jury indicted Dennis Fiscus, the former programs of study director for the Department of Career and Technical Education, and Lois Lamer, the former superintendent of the Valley Academy for Career and Technical Education (VACTE), accused of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, Violation of Duties of a Custodian of Public Monies, and Fraudulent Schemes and Practices.  

The indictment, based on an investigation performed by the Arizona Auditor General, alleges that on three separate occasions between December 19, 2013, and November 20, 2015, Fiscus and Lamer diverted a total of $7,500 in funds from VACTE by submitting false purchase requisitions. According to the Auditor General’s Report, Fiscus awarded excessive amounts of Carl D. Perkins grant monies to VACTE.

Lamer is accused of preparing three false purchase requisition for Perkins funds listing Fiscus and the requestor and her business Life Long Learning as the vendor. Funds were deposited into Lamer’s Life Long Learning business account and eventually donated to the National Association for Career and Technical Education Information to cover Fiscus’ non-Perkins grant expenses.

Copy of indictment.

Assistant Attorney General Mary Harriss is prosecuting the case.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

There is no booking photograph available.