Voodoo sex spells, gambling binges, luxury gifts fuel $900K fraud probe into ex-Maryland PTA president

Woman accused of elaborate ‘money laundering’ scheme involving COVID relief funds

Federal officials are investigating a former Maryland PTA president for allegedly embezzling over $900,000 to live a lavish coast-to-coast lifestyle that included luxury trips, gambling benders and Voodoo sex spells — including a curse to break up the marriage of her alleged lover.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland opened a criminal case against LaTonja Carrera, 51, who served as state PTA president from November 2020 to October 2022, according to D.C. attorney and former federal prosecutor Seth Waxman. The state organization oversaw about 800 local PTA chapters and 130,000 volunteer members. The investigation is looking at Carrera’s unauthorized spending of PTA funds from May 2020 through October 2022, Waxman said.

Waxman said federal investigators asked him last month to provide documents from a forensic audit he ordered as a court-appointed receiver of the Maryland PTA in 2022, when he took over to protect and preserve the organization’s assets. The Chicago accounting firm BDO USA conducted the audit. Waxman detailed the findings in a June 2023 lawsuit filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court on behalf of the state PTA.

Waxman’s complaint joined a 2021 National PTA lawsuit against Carrera, the state PTA board, and the newly formed Alliance for Maryland Parents, Teachers and Students. In May 2020 the national office put the state PTA on probation over “significant leadership issues.” It revoked its charter in March 2021 for failing to comply with bylaws and national PTA standards and filed suit calling Carrera “a rogue” who “threatened and intimidated Local PTAs.” The case was sealed and settled in October 2024. The national PTA announced the formation of a new parent-teacher association, Free State PTA in March 2021...

...Janis Sartucci, an attorney and member of the watchdog group Parents Coalition of Montgomery County, said the lack of vetting is common for these positions.

“It’s been standard operating procedure that candidates for these positions are not vetted,” Sartucci said. “We don’t vet our board of education members.. It’s not something that we are concerned with, which obviously leads the public school system budget open to fraud, embezzlement and waste.”..

https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/08/20/voodoo-sex-spells-gambling-binges-luxury-gifts-fuel-900k-fraud-probe-into-ex-md-pta-president/?share=peutvgtenawaoweumebf

Maryland PTA Put into Receivership by Court: Court finds the president “treated the funds of the state association as her personal property”

 ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Oct. 14, 2022)—In the ongoing litigation in Maryland Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland, in the case of National Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc. v. LaTonya Carrera, et. al, Case No. 486117-V, the Court took the extraordinary step last week of granting National PTA’s request to appoint a Receiver to take control of the former Maryland PTA from Defendant LaTonya Carrera to locate and protect the assets of the former Maryland PTA from further waste. The Court appointed former Federal Prosecutor Seth B. Waxman as Receiver for Maryland PTA, charged with safeguarding the assets of the non-profit and to take over management of the organization. President Carrera and the Board of Directors are now prohibited from having access to the assets of the former Maryland PTA.

In March 2021, National PTA took the extraordinary step to disaffiliate the Maryland PTA from National PTA due to significant issues with board leadership actions. Through disaffiliation and creating an alternative state chapter, Free State PTA, National PTA worked to protect the interests of local PTAs and parents and children throughout Maryland as well as the entire PTA family. Concerns about Carrera had become known to National PTA during the course of National PTA working with the Maryland chapter on compliance with the National PTA Standards of Affiliation. Carrera was previously arrested and has been criminally charged with crimes related to access to the financial accounts of others in the District of Columbia in an unrelated matter.

In granting National PTA’s request for the unusual remedy of appointing a Receiver, the Court stated that “Maryland PTA, largely due to the actions of defendant Carrera (and the corresponding inaction and lack of controls by the Board of Directors of Maryland PTA) had wasted, dissipated and impaired the funds and assets of Maryland PTA to the detriment both of National PTA and the families and students who had paid dues and other funds to Maryland PTA.” During the evidentiary hearing held on Oct. 4, 2022, on National PTA’s request to appoint a Receiver to locate and protect Maryland PTA’s assets, the Court found that Defendant Carrera “used the debit card of the association as her personal credit card, her personal debit card, with no accounting or reconciliation” and “treated the funds of the state association as her personal property.” The Court referred to the evidence it reviewed, stating “it became somewhat painful, the debit card charges that Carrera made on the business, not personal, business debit card.” 

The Court authorized the Receiver to “take control of the management and operation of Maryland PTA,” “account for all funds and assets of Maryland PTA,” and “determine whether, and the extent to which, any funds or assets of Maryland PTA have been wasted, dissipated or spent for purposes unrelated to the reasonable and necessary operation of Maryland PTA or for the improper benefit of individuals.”  The Court further ordered that Defendants are “prohibited from using, obtaining or accessing any funds or property of Maryland PTA (including, but not limited to, bank or investment accounts, deposit accounts, ATM cards, debit cards and credit cards), without the express written permission of the Receiver.” 

National PTA looks forward to resolving the outstanding claims, hopefully without continued litigation, with the Receiver, whose written report is expected in 90 days. National PTA continues to seek to ensure that all assets of the former Maryland PTA, including historical artifacts, and documents as well as property, are used to benefit PTA members in Maryland, and ensure that PTA throughout the country is protected.

Disaffiliated Maryland PTA Put into Receivership by Court

Maryland PTA loses charter as its president faces unrelated theft charges

Parents and teachers in Maryland are now officially without a PTA after the national organization voted to revoke the state’s charter immediately. This comes amid allegations of theft against the state’s PTA president. National PTA President Leslie Boggs wrote that after more than a year of trying to bring the Maryland chapter up to national standards unsuccessfully, it voted to revoke the charter. In response to what she called “unwarranted and aggressive actions” by the National PTA, Maryland PTA President LaTonja Carrera issued a statement to local parents and teachers... 

https://wtop.com/maryland/2021/03/maryland-pta-loses-charter-as-its-president-faces-unrelated-theft-charges/

Maryland PTA President Charged With Stealing From DC Veteran

The president of the Maryland PTA faces a criminal charge and is accused of stealing money from a Southeast Washington, D.C., military veteran to pay her own bills, including her cable and internet expenses.  

Court filings reviewed by the News4 I-Team say LaTonja Carrera stole money from the account of the veteran at a mental health facility in D.C. in 2019, where the veteran lived and where Carrera served as an administrator.    

An attorney for the Maryland PTA said Carrera has served as president of the state PTA for nearly a month and remains on the job pending the outcome of the criminal case...

https://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/maryland-pta-president-charged-with-stealing-from-dc-veteran/2512835/?amp&fbclid=IwAR3GbF8u50Os7h5kM5iu8LTM-cX94swEKD80uv8mXG7J9VEaOcGSCw1czo4

Maryland PTA Seeks Injunction to Stop Reorganization By National Officials

Maryland’s PTA and the national organization are feuding, with battles over management, alleged hostile work environments and local leader elections.

The Maryland PTA filed for an injunction and temporary restraining order against National PTA in early September to stop the national group from taking over and reorganizing the state chapter.

The Maryland PTA had been put on probation three months earlier for “high turn-over among board members as a result of a hostile board environment” and “an assumed directive of loyalty to the Maryland PTA president rather than to Maryland PTA and its members.”

In late August, the national organization said Maryland’s chapter needed to be restructured because of a failure to comply with its probationary status and a national “Standards of Affiliation Policy.” Under restructuring, National PTA can ask for the state association’s funds, assets, physical property and access to technology accounts. And Maryland PTA can no longer contact its local PTAs or use any of its funds without National PTA’s approval.

But Maryland PTA is still communicating with local units, according to county PTA leaders.

If Maryland PTA does not comply with restructuring rules, National PTA can revoke its charter at any time,..

...After National PTA placed Maryland on probation in May, the state PTA hired an attorney, who is paid from funds that were “raised partially by membership dues, sponsorships and donations from outside sources,” Tonya Sweat, the vice president of advocacy of Maryland PTA, said.

https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/09/16/maryland-pta-seeks-injunction-to-stop-reorganization-by-national-officials/?fbclid=IwAR1Sm0SOWMQkz4U7jPJlTy256KqO02J1zqbiZCfxxB5xMAW0swdNLzzsOZU

Maryland PTA fields member questions about legal dispute over leadership with National PTA

 

The Maryland PTA fielded questions from members Tuesday night, updating them about the organization’s dispute with the National PTA over leadership.

The National PTA announced at the end of August that it was restructuring the Maryland group after it fell out of compliance with the organization’s “Standards of Affiliation,” according to letters obtained by The Baltimore Sun. Restructuring means the National PTA can assist the Maryland PTA in electing new leaders and gives the national group access to Maryland PTA funds and records, as well as the ability to arrange an audit...

...In the state PTA’s annual report, the organization alleged that the previous president cashed a $95,000 deposit that was earmarked for building emergencies and improvements without board approval. The state PTA board filed a bond claim to recover the losses, but this decision “spooked” two of the elected officers who subsequently resigned from the new administration, according to the report...

Breaking: National PTA has Assumed Direct Support of All PTAs in Maryland

Maryland PTA Out of Compliance Reprimand Letter

Maryland PTA Out of Complia... by Parents' Coalition of Montg... on Scribd

Maryland PTA Reprimanded, Put on Probation

The Maryland PTA has been reprimanded and placed on probation by the National Parent-Teacher Association, the News4 I-Team learned.

The state PTA is accused of a series of violations of organization standards and has been the subject of complaints from a large majority of local PTA leaders in the state, according to documents obtained by the I-Team. Among the complaints leveled against the Maryland PTA is the condoning of rude and disrespectful behavior against local PTA members and leaders.

Through a spokesman, the state PTA said it is challenging the reprimand and findings of the National PTA.

“We are working to rectify this,” the spokesman said. “We do not agree with the action taken. We’ve voiced serious concerns about this probationary status.”

The formal reprimand was issued against the Maryland PTA May 20. It prohibits the state PTA from receiving some grants and funding from the national organization.

“National PTA has received numerous communications from members and leaders of Maryland PTA asking National PTA to intercede on their behalf,” the reprimand said. “The leaders who contacted us represent more than two-thirds of the local PTAs in Maryland and more than seventy-five percent of the Maryland’s PTA membership.”..

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-pta-reprimanded-put-on-probation/2383112/

Maryland PTAs Can't Meet Remotely Unless State Group Meets in Person to Change Rules

Many Maryland students will start the school year entirely online as the coronavirus pandemic continues — but local PTAs must meet in person, the state PTA says.

The Maryland PTA says that under the current bylaws, members have to meet in person to vote on elections or official business. To change the bylaws, a statewide delegation would have to meet and vote to amend them.

That has many parents furious and filing complaints with the National PTA. 

“The Supreme Court is voting remotely. It’s hard to believe that the PTA hasn’t figured out some way to do this,” said Amy Mauer Creel, president of the PTA at James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring. 

Creel recently had to beg parents to come to the school’s parking lot for a social distanced meeting to elect officers for the upcoming school year. She said that sends the wrong message to students about what’s safe during the pandemic. 

It’s more important than ever for PTAs to be able to fundraise for supplies, grants and scholarships, PTA parent Brad Shear said...

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/maryland-ptas-cant-meet-remotely-unless-state-group-meets-in-person-to-change-rules/2387825/?fbclid=IwAR3S3avQgtxWB9Ue_Hwb9Hz7gX0MC4iZP_gFC7VEbL_U6Po8TgbVdQ0up88

Petition: McDonald's Nutrition Education Curriculum Endorsed by Maryland PTA? No Thanks!

McDonald's sponsored the Maryland PTA conference/vacation and so Maryland PTA is now pushing McDonald's.   Some parents are not pleased with the financial arrangment between Maryland PTA and this private company and have started a petition requesting that Maryland PTA sever their ties with McDonald's.

Petition:

We the undersigned are asking the Maryland PTA to:

1. Sever its sponsorship links with McDonald’s if those links require it to in any way promote the McDonald's brand or materials from McDonald's to children, teachers, parents or PTA members.

2. Send a statement to local PTAs in Maryland acknowledging the error of including these materials on the web site and stating that the fundamental mission of McDonald’s runs counter to the fundamental mission of schools, which includes educating children about good nutrition. In addition, this statement should clearly state that the Maryland PTA does not recommend the use of materials or speakers from McDonald’s for discussions of nutrition, nor fundraisers that promote foods of minimal nutritional value, such as teacher’s nights at McDonald’s.

 http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/maryland-pta-end-your-partnership-with-mcdonalds.html

Maryland PTA pushing McDonald’s Because McDonald's Sponsored Their Conference

...On Maryland PTA’s Web site, a letter urges parents to ask their schools to show the documentary to them so that they “have the most current and accurate information about McDonald’s.”

An accompanying teaching guide specifically recommends that teachers show the documentary when “Super Size Me” is part of the curriculums.

“They help teach the kids about choice, and how you can personalize what you want to eat,” Maryland PTA president Elizabeth Ysla Leight said. The lessons, she added, teach how students can modify their order at McDonald’s.
Leight said the information was featured after McDonald’s sponsored the group’s annual conference this year. McDonald’s is one of her group’s most consistent supporters, but she declined to say how much it receives. McDonald’s and other supporters give the PTA money for basic educational materials. “In order to do things like provide materials and put on conferences, we need the support,” she said...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2015/10/29/how-mcdonalds-is-using-schools-to-try-to-change-what-kids-eat/