Former Dubuque School Administrator Pleads Guilty To Stealing Funds

A former principal at a Dubuque school has pled guilty to a charge of wire fraud after authorities say he stole at least a quarter-million dollars from the school system. According to a release from the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa, 49-year-old Todd Wessels of Dubuque entered his guilty plea on Monday. Wessels previously worked as the principal of Holy Ghost Elementary and was the technology director for Holy Family Catholic Schools in Dubuque. He resigned from those positions last year. Investigators say Wessels used school funds – which were meant to purchase apps for students’ computers – on personal expenses instead. He also sold some of the district’s equipment without permission. Wessels remains free on bond until sentencing. He faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250-thousand dollar fine and 3 years of supervised release.