Ex-secretary indicted in theft of Katrina aid

MEXICO – A former middle school secretary is facing charges of stealing more than $10,000 from a school vault, including $125 raised by students for Hurricane Katrina victims.

Susan Lizotte, 49, of Rumford was indicted Thursday by the Oxford County grand jury.

Lizotte reported money missing from the Mountain Valley Middle School vault nearly two years ago. She was fired after an investigation.

Mexico police said a total of about $14,000 had been stolen, including money that pupils raised to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. The theft, from a file cabinet inside the vault, took place in November 2005, police said.

Since the theft took place, cash has been deposited in the bank within 24 hours, and only two people have access to the vault.