Former School District Superintendent Faces Conflict Of Interest, Forgery Charges

AMADOR COUNTY (CBS13) - The former interim Amador County school district superintendent has been arrested on conflict of interest charges.

Elizabeth Chapin-Pinotti announced back in December 2015 she would be stepping down as the district's superintendent. She had been after serving since June 2015.

According to the Amador County Sheriff's Department, Pinotti turned herself in to jail on Wednesday. She is facing felony violations of conflict of interest, forgery and perjury, the sheriff's department says.

READ: The Full Criminal Complaint Against Elizabeth Chapin-Pinotti

The district attorney's office alleges Pinotti, while the interim superintendent, entered into book and educational products contracts on behalf of the school district, despite the fact she had her own financial interests in the contracts.

Pinotti then allegedly tried to cover up her conflict of interest by forging numerous documents - including donor letters, a school donor list and a check.

In total, the district attorney's office says the contracts were worth $256,333.

The perjury charge stems from the allegation that Pinotti failed to report income.

Pinotti has since posted bail and been released from custody.

The school district released the following statement on Pinotti's arrest:

"Ms. Chapin-Pinotti is no longer an employee of the Amador County Unified School District, having resigned effective June 30, 2016. During the course of the investigation, the District has fully cooperated with law enforcement and it is the role of law enforcement to address matters related to this investigation. The District's focus remains on its mission of educating students, including a successful opening of the 2016-2017 school year."