Woman accused of defrauding alternative school for at-risk students

OCALA, Fla. – A Marion County woman has been indicted for fraud related to alleged theft from an alternative school, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida (USAO).

Danielle Jane Liles, 41, of Summerfield, is charged with eight counts of wire fraud. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each count.

According to the USAO, the United States is also seeking an order of forfeiture for at least $616,793.43, which prosecutors say represents the unlawful proceeds of the offenses charged in the indictment.

According to the court records, between January 11, 2016, and April 10, 2023, Liles devised a scheme to defraud Silver River Mentoring and Instruction (SRMI), an alternative school for at-risk middle and high school students.

During this time, Liles handled the payroll at SRMI and reportedly gave herself 137 unauthorized paychecks by logging false information into SRMI’s accounting software. Liles received her paychecks through Automated Clearinghouse Services (ACH) wire transfers.

An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General. Hannah Nowalk, an Assistant United States Attorney, is prosecuting it.