CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Some members of Briarwood Elementary School Parent Teacher Association are under investigation amid allegations they spent money meant for elementary school children.

According to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police investigation, some members of the Briarwood Elementary School PTA have been spending money they helped raise for the students.

"We are not lying, we are telling the truth. This money has disappeared," said Briarwood PTA Treasurer Patrice James.

James said when she asked about the missing money, school officials ignored her.

"I know money was being collected and it wasn't turned into me or the president," said James.

Eyewitness News obtained a memo sent by the council treasurer, Kim Graham. It outlines 12 separate problems with the way the Briarwood PTA has mishandled its money, including checks being made out for cash, several missing checks and checks never accounted for.

Also, there are no valid signature cards at the bank and several missing bank statements.

One of the most serious points made on the memo is that board members took money home, instead of counting at the school in front of witnesses.

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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Web Site
CMS: Briarwood Elem. School
Briarwood Contact Info
WSOC-TV's Eduction Section

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That's against PTA rules because they say, "It's a precursor to fraud and embezzlement."

Bonita Harkness is a parent of one of the students at Briarwood and she said the missing money hurts the children.

"It makes you angry, it makes you sad -- parents are giving money in good faith," she said.

Sam Haywood is the Parent Leadership Liaison with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. He also deals with PTA. Haywood will be coming to Brairwood Elementary on Monday to try and sort things out.

Nobody is sure exactly how much money is missing. Haywood said if there are any discrepancies, he going to find them.