Plano ISD's Security Director Gambled Away $2.5 Million of the School District's Money

Meet Kris Gentz, 59-year-old Princeton resident, 14-year veteran of Plano ISD, and, according to the feds, a compulsive gambler and prolific thief. Federal prosecutors, along with the FBI and Plano police, announced this morning that Gentz has pleaded guilty to embezzling some $2.5 million from the district, most of which...

By Eric Nicholson

April 1, 2014

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Meet Kris Gentz, 59-year-old Princeton resident, 14-year veteran of Plano ISD, and, according to the feds, a compulsive gambler and prolific thief.

Federal prosecutors, along with the FBI and Plano police, announced this morning that Gentz has pleaded guilty to embezzling some $2.5 million from the district, most of which he frittered away at casinos.

According to the Plano Star Courier's Bill Conrad, the scheme was rather simple: Gentz created two fake companies and got them approved as Plano ISD vendors. Those companies would regularly submit fake invoices that would be paid by the district. That money would then go in the pocket of Gentz and two accomplices, neither of whom worked for the district.

The scheme lasted a dozen years, coming to a close at the end of last year after Plano ISD noticed that money was going missing and contacted police.

Gentz made a comfortable $71,431 per year overseeing security and fire systems at all PISD buildings. He is no longer employed by the district.

He faces five whole years in federal prison.

Send your story tips to the author, Eric Nicholson.

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