Welcome to
SJS Embezzlement Settlement

A website promoting the best use of the $1,019,000 insurance settlement funds for the benefit of St. James Catholic School.

Introduction

Read about the background of the settlement and what the funds should be used for.

Over the past few years, one of the largest issues that has impacted the St. James community has been the discovery of the embezzlement of over half a million dollars from St. James School, a private Catholic K-8 school located in Torrance, CA. This theft was perpetrated over the course of decades by Sister Mary Margaret Kreuper, the principal of SJS for over 28 years, and Sister Lana Chang, the 8th grade teacher. This year, as announced in the St. James Catholic Church Bulletin, SJS received an insurance settlement of $1,019,000 for the losses incurred ("November 13th Bulletin"). A committee has also been assembled to "begin the process of determining the [needs] of [the] school and the best use of the insurance settlement." ("November 13th Bulletin"). There is no doubt that there are many opinions from many different people on what the funds should be used for. Stakeholders include SJS students, parents, teachers, and members of the St. James community in general. There are also many different things that the funds can be used for, and many people are eager to propose their perspectives. This group includes the author of this website, a member of the St. James community and a former student of SJS during Sister Mary Margaret's tenure. The solution for the embezzlement settlement funds proposed here involves three aspects: they should be used for distributing reparations, improving school facilities, and investing in technology opportunities for students.