Former Director and Accountant of Elite Astana School Accused of Embezzling Over 900 Million Tenge

A major embezzlement scheme has been uncovered at Astana’s elite International School No. 81 Astana English School, Orda.kz reports.

According to the Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA), the school’s former director and chief accountant diverted over 900 million tenge paid by parents for preschool education and summer camps. The funds, paid in cash, never reached the school’s official accounts.

Investigators also revealed that nearly 16 million tenge was funneled to the accounts of fictitious employees, including relatives of the suspects.

The suspects used the proceeds of crime to purchase property worth 382 million tenge: a cottage, two apartments in the capital, and a car. With the court's sanction, the said property was seized,
 the agency stated.

Both individuals have been detained and remain in custody.

According to the school’s social media page, Togzhan Kartaeva served as the director beginning last summer. In her introduction, she wrote:

I am glad to meet you as the head of the 'International Specialized Gymnasium No. 81 Astana English School' of the Akimat of Astana. This is a great responsibility and honor for me. First of all, I would like to thank the capital's leadership, represented by the Akimat and the Department of Education, for their trust in me as a member of the republican personnel reserve '1,000 LEADERS OF CHANGE IN EDUCATION'. 

Original Author: Alina Pak