07:21 PM CST on Thursday, December 22, 2005

By CHRIS HEINBAUGH / WFAA-TV

A North Dallas mother is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from Haggar Elementary's Parent Teacher Association.

Elizabeth Payne, who was the former treasurer of the association, allegedly wrote nearly $58,000 in forged checks and the PTA's coffers are now just about empty.

While Haggar Elementary's students set out on Christmas break, many parents were faced with the scandal.

"Quite frankly, it's been completely devastating to our PTA," said Missy Slavin, Haggar Elementary's PTA president.

In a lawsuit filed by the PTA, the group claimed Payne wrote at least 59 checks to herself and then cashed or deposited them in her own account.

"As the checks come back, if you were to just look at the checks they look ordinary because there are two signatures, except the second signature on the check is not a legitimate signature" said Robert Tobey, Haggar Elementary's PTA attorney and parent.

Tobey said they were forged in a total amount a little under $58,000.

"We have nothing in the bank right now and we are relying on the generosity of the parents and our community," Slavin said. " This has put many of the group's education projects, student dances and teacher supply initiatives at risk."

Haggar PTA wasn't the only parent teacher group to face similar problems.

A former Royse City PTA treasurer, Martha Patterson, pleaded guilty to stealing $15,000 from her group. Also a former Rowlett PTA treasurer, Amy Nolen, was charged with stealing $21,000.

"You've got to look at it as a business," Tobey said. "You have to have checks and balances, and you've got to have accounting controls in place or this kind of situation can happen."

Dallas police detectives are investigating, but so far no criminal charges have been filed against Payne.

E-mail cheinbaugh@wfaa.com