The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Derrick Devaul Spiva with embezzling more than $150,000 from a charter school he ran, the office said.

Prosecutors filed five felony counts in case 26CJCF06132: misappropriation of public funds, embezzlement of public funds, grand theft, money laundering and conflict of interest; an aggravated white‑collar sentencing enhancement is also alleged.

The office said Spiva petitioned the Antelope Valley Unified High School District in Feb. 2023 to open the Synergy School of Arts and Technology, the district adopted the petition in April 2023, and Synergy’s board hired Spiva as executive director in May 2023.

Between June 28 and Oct. 13, 2023, prosecutors allege Spiva made unauthorized payments from Synergy’s bank account to himself, his business and his domestic partner; the office said some funds paid for travel, theatre tickets and electronic devices.

Synergy opened in Sept. 2023 with about 100 children enrolled across two Lancaster campuses; the school discovered the missing funds after opening, terminated Spiva in Nov. 2023 and closed in Dec. 2023.

Los Angeles County District Attorney said, "Stealing public money meant to educate children is unconscionable."

Spiva faces up to six years and eight months in state prison if convicted as charged. His arraignment is set for Nov. 16 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center; the office said he was released on his own recognizance on condition that he be booked at a local police station and provide proof of booking.

Deputy District Attorney Stefan Mrakich of the Public Integrity Division is prosecuting the case, and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation handled the probe. The charges are allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Local

Nathan J. Hochman

District Attorney of Los Angeles County

Named once in this story.

Everything the Journal has reported on NathanOfficial site

Portrait: Los Angeles County District Attorney / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Sources & methodology

This report was written from the primary materials below. Links open at the original publisher.

County of Los Angeles

See something we should correct? Read our corrections policy.