MAY 18, 2022 UPDATE:
The Phoenixville Area School District is pleased that the investigation and prosecution of Mr. Gehris has concluded. In spite of the challenges of COVID-19 the case was fully investigated.
Today’s ruling allows all parties to begin moving forward. Mr. Gehris’s actions negatively impacted, the students, parents, community and District.
The District thanks the Phoenixville Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the US District Attorney and the Federal Courts for their work and thoughtful deliberations.
As always, our thoughts go out to Mr. Gehris’s family.
Click here for the 5/18/22 article in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
NOVEMBER 30, 2021 UPDATE:
On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, the US Attorney’s Office announced the filing of embezzlement charges against Chris Gehris, former PASD Business Manager.
Mr. Gehris resigned from PASD in September 2019, after an internal audit revealed discrepancies in departmental and District procedures. The discrepancies were reported to local authorities and an investigation has been ongoing since that time.
(view the press release from the Attorney General’s Office)
In addition, the District hired an independent firm to conduct a complete forensic audit of the District’s finances and business practices. That audit report was completed last spring, but the District had been asked to withhold releasing any details until the criminal investigation was complete.
The full report is now available.
“We thank all of the law enforcement officials who worked over the past two years to investigate this matter,” said Dr. Alan Fegley, PASD Superintendent of Schools. “As a public institution, we take our fiscal responsibility very seriously, and will continue to cooperate with the authorities as they proceed with this case.”