YUMA, AZ (AZFamily) — A grand jury has indicted a now-former human resources specialist at Yuma Elementary School District after allegedly using school funds for her own personal use.

Prosecutors said Mercedes Brena was indicted on nine charges related to misuse of public monies, theft, fraud, and forgery after the Arizona Office of the Auditor General submitted its findings to state prosecutors on Aug. 15.

The report said that Brena, who also uses the alias Mercedes Ruiz, caused the school district to lose $86,388 between November 2021 and October 2022.

According to the report, about $74,000 of that money was taken when Brena would improperly pay a substitute teacher. For some of the unauthorized pay, she would ask for a money order back for the extra amount, but would instead depos

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