Kris Wilson Gentz, Embezzlement, Texas 2023

Plano ISD Executive Pleads Guilty to $2.5 Million Embezzlement Scheme

A 59-year-old man has pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to embezzle over $2.5 million from the Plano Independent School District in Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Kris Wilson Gentz, a former Manager and Security and Fire Systems Security Support Specialist at Plano ISD, pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with conspiracy to commit federal program fraud today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Don Bush.

Between 2004 and December 2013, Gentz and two other individuals set up two companies called Fire System Specialists (FSS) and Digital Security Solutions (DSS) that were allegedly in the business of maintaining fire safety systems and security systems. Gentz and his co-conspirators generated fraudulent FSS and DSS invoices and submitted them to Plano ISD for payment. Gentz, in his Plano ISD management role, corruptly approved these invoices; however, the services and products referenced on the invoices were never provided or delivered.

When payment was made to FSS and DSS, Gentz and his co-conspirators would split the profits between themselves. Over the course of the scheme, Gentz and his co-conspirators obtained over $2.5 million from Plano ISD. Gentz acknowledged that he had abused the position of trust that Plano ISD had given him.

“Public corruption always involves the breach of a position of trust,” said U.S. Attorney Bales, “and, even apart from the financial impact, erodes the trust of taxpayers and the community. We commend Plano ISD for discovering the corrupt conduct and reporting it to the authorities, and we recognize our law enforcement partners for their quick action in addressing this case.”

Gentz faces up to five years in federal prison. A date for sentencing has not yet been set. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, and the Plano Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shamoil T. Shipchandler.

Gentz's actions cheated the educational development of children, according to Marcus Culpepper, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General's Southwest Regional Office. The FBI, Department of Education, Plano Police Department, and Plano Independent School District should be commended for their collaborative investigative efforts, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Diego Rodriguez.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/collin-county-man-guilty-plano-isd-embezzlement-scheme