A former accountant at the Saint-Amand school in Bayonne has been convicted of embezzling €300,000 from the institution to fuel a sports betting addiction. The individual, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, worked at the school for several years before the scheme was uncovered.
According to court documents, the accountant systematically diverted funds from the school's accounts between 2019 and 2023. The embezzled money was used almost exclusively for online sports betting, with the individual placing bets on various sporting events.
The case came to light during a routine audit in early 2024, when discrepancies in the school's financial records were detected. An investigation by local authorities revealed the full extent of the fraud, leading to the accountant's arrest and subsequent trial.
The court sentenced the former accountant to three years in prison, with two years suspended, and ordered full restitution of the embezzled funds. The school has since implemented stricter financial controls to prevent future incidents.
This case highlights the dangers of gambling addiction and the importance of oversight in financial management within educational institutions.
