A member of the Lower Merion School District Board of Directors in Pennsylvania has been arrested and charged with multiple felony theft-related offenses for allegedly stealing over $50,000 from her employer to fund personal expenses, including a trip to the Bahamas and a Bar Mitzvah.
Jennifer Rivera, 41, was taken into custody after SMB, a law firm marketing agency where she was employed, discovered irregularities in its finances in June. According to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, an internal review by the company's CEO and senior finance director indicated that Rivera had used a company-issued credit card for personal purchases since September 2024.
Detectives subsequently reviewed the company's financial records and interviewed Rivera's colleagues, uncovering the extent of the alleged misappropriation. Prosecutors stated that over $25,000 was spent on a family vacation to the Bahamas, approximately $1,339 on videography and photography services for a friend's son's Bar Mitzvah, and an additional $25,596.68 on Amazon purchases for personal items. Rivera also reportedly used more than $9,000 of the company's American Express points to book the trip.
In total, Rivera is accused of taking $50,243.31 from SMB for personal gain. The alleged theft came to light in May when Rivera allegedly used the company card to pay a coworker around $1,400 via Venmo. Rivera initially claimed it was a business expense, but the coworker informed company officials that the transaction was for a Bar Mitzvah event and that Rivera had used company funds rather than personal ones.
The coworker also stated that Rivera used the company card to pay for his and his wife's travel to another coworker's wedding, where he was hired to provide photography services. He reported that Rivera had told him she was permitted to use the card for such expenses.
When questioned by prosecutors, Rivera reportedly claimed she used the wrong Venmo account by mistake, despite being presented with evidence. The accusations have led to Rivera losing her job. She was initially placed on administrative leave but requested to be fired, citing the stress of awaiting an outcome.
Rivera, who was elected to the school board in November, had previously been endorsed by the Democratic Committee of Lower Merion and Narberth. Social media posts from the committee described her as someone capable of managing large budgets with transparency and efficiency, and as committed to ensuring district funds directly benefited students. Colleagues had also praised her as friendly, organized, and having the best interests of others at heart.
Lower Merion school board president Kerry Sautner told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the charges against Rivera do not reflect on the district or its finances. Sautner stated that while acknowledging the legal principle of innocence until proven guilty, the board must consider the potential impact of the situation.
Rivera faces four counts of theft by deception, receiving stolen property, and access device fraud, all third-degree felonies. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 2.