A school principal’s secretary allegedly stole more than $30,000 from a fundraiser she organized to support his battle against cancer.
Stacie LaRiccia, 40, was charged with theft by deception after proceeds from a 5K run went missing last October.
The fundraiser was intended to pay the medical bills of Michael Fording, principal of Brush High School in Cleveland, and cancer research at University Hospital.
Instead, she allegedly spent it on food and entertainment, according to Lyndhurst police detectives who examined her financial records.
Fording died on November 26, just weeks after the October 21 fundraiser was held on the oval of his beloved school.
Michael Fording (third from left), principal of Brush High School in Cleveland, during the 5K fundraiser on October 21
Fording’s longtime secretary Stacie LaRiccia, 40, was charged with theft by deception after proceeds went missing
Fording died on November 26, just weeks after the fundraiser was held on the oval of his beloved school on October 21
LaRiccia was his old secretary who organized the event, collected the donations and had to send them to his family and the hospital.
But in late January, Fording’s family discovered that no donation had been made to the hospital, and police began an investigation.
Newly released police bodycam footage showed LaRiccia was arrested at her home on March 15 as she left for work.
Officers told her they had a warrant for her arrest for theft, and declined to elaborate when she asked “for what?”
She appeared in Lyndhurst Municipal Court last week and was released on $25,000 bail until her next court appearance Monday.
Detective Lt. Mike Scipione said Ford’s family was “upset” that someone close to him could betray his memory.
“LaRiccia was Director Fording’s personal administrative assistant. He was instrumental in her hiring and was clearly in a position of trust. During his time of declining health, the family naturally became close to LaRiccia and it hit hard,” he said.
“It is quite disheartening what she has done and our intention is to return the money that has been taken to those for whom the money was raised.”
Scipione said the investigation was ongoing and detectives were going through financial records to see if anyone else was involved.
Newly released police bodycam footage showed LaRiccia was arrested at her home on March 15 as she left for work
The South Euclid Lyndhurst School District said LaRiccia was placed on leave and was cooperating with police.
“The lasting legacy of Mike Fording’s kindness, professionalism and love for SEL schools will ultimately prevail, despite what happened here,” the report said.
“And will allow those who truly loved him to continue together with his family on the journey of remembrance and tribute to this great man.”
Fording underwent a colonoscopy last June and was shocked to learn he had stage four colon cancer that had already spread to his liver.
He was given 18 to 24 months to live, but refused to stop working until things went downhill much faster than expected.
“They can give you a time frame, but that’s never a concern for me because I’m just going to live every day,” he said Fox 8 in October.
“Continue to work, spend time with my family (and) the people I love, and do what we do every day to support the students here, just do what we do every day.”
Fording, a father of four, called his staff and students his “extended family” and that the fundraiser “meant the world to him.”
“Being here is important for me because it gives me the normalcy I’m looking for. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Can I stay at home all year round? Naturally. But I would never do it because I like being here,” he said.
Fording was given 18 to 24 months to live, but refused to stop working until he went downhill much faster than expected
The fundraiser was intended to pay the medical bills of Michael Fording, principal of Brush High School in Cleveland, and cancer research at University Hospital.
Fording (fourth from left, back row), a father of four, called his staff and students his “extended family” and that the fundraiser “meant the world to him.”
His wife Melissa said Fording had a rare treatment-resistant mutation that the Seidman Cancer Center had not seen in more than two years.
‘We were shocked by the diagnosis. It was completely unexpected. “He was completely healthy and fine and only suffered from maybe some stomach aches and fluctuating temperatures for a few weeks,” she said in October.
“Really, the love he has for his family, his girls, and the love they have for him, that’s literally what drives him. His job and his family are what drives him.”
School District Superintendent Linda Reid said Fording left a legacy of courage and compassion and would forever be remembered as a respected educational leader.
“Unforeseen circumstances tend to bring out the very best in people’s behavior and attitudes,” she said.
“Mike Fording, despite his prognosis, came to work with the intention of affirming our students, serving as an inspiration to everyone in the South Euclid Lyndhurst Schools family.”
Fording had four daughters, Meghan, Amanda, Emily and Madelyn, and was expecting his first grandchild in June.
He worked as a teacher for 24 years and was appointed director in August 2022.