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Shuttered Citrus Heights School Owes Parents Money

CITRUS HEIGHTS (CBS13) -- The Citrus Heights principal arrested for allegedly molesting seven of his students is facing a new set of accusations, CBS13 learned Tuesday.

"We're owed money," said a former Creative Frontiers school mother and supporter.

The parent, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she is part of a growing group demanding their money back since the school shut down two months ago.

She showed CBS13's Maria Medina the check she made to the private school just a few weeks before it closed amid allegations Principal Robert Adams molested some of his young female students over the span of 15 years.

The anonymous parent said she also has the bank statement to prove Creative Frontiers cashed the check.

"It's a lot of money," she said. "I mean, you're looking at anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000 depending on what parent you talk to."

"They've always said, 'We don't have the records to determine how much we actually owe you."

Adams' daughter explains on the school's Facebook page they no longer have access to billing records saved on the school's computers. The Adams' attorney, Linda Parisi, confirmed Citrus Heights police took the computers as evidence in the case in July.

"I think that they're stalling," the former school mother said. "I think the money is being used for other resources right now."

She said after the school shuttered, Adams' supporters began raising money for his defense.

It has some parents wondering whether they'll ever see their money again.

"I'm not aware of their full financial status, but I know they are very serious about wanting to honor their financial obligations," said Parisi.

She said they expect police to send copies of the billing records so Adams can begin sending refunds to parents. Police wouldn't confirm whether they seized the computers.

CBS13 asked Parisi whether Adams could pay for the refunds if his supporters were asking for donations to pay for his attorney fees.

"Again, I'm not aware of that," answered Parisi.

She said 140 students were enrolled in summer school at the time the school was shut down. An unspecified amount of parents paid for the tuition through Living Social, an online deal-of-the-day company.

Those parents would then be refunded through that company, Parisi said.

But for the parent who paid tuition directly to Creative Frontiers, she had a message to Adams.

"I say pay your bills," she said. "Pay your bills and use your money to pay your bills and leave our money out of it."

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