Clovis schools employee charged with embezzlement

A Clovis elementary school secretary is charged with 27 counts of embezzlement after police said she used her position to purchase gift cards for her own use.

Michelle Cordova, 34, was released on $14,000 bond Tuesday following her arrest, jail officials said.

Police began an investigation May 27 when the finance supervisor for Clovis Municipal Schools contacted them.

According to an affidavit filed in Curry County Magistrate Court, the supervisor said an internal investigation revealed Cordova had been creating purchase orders for more than a year from Highland Elementary School, which she then used to buy gift cards.

The supervisor provided police with documentation of more than $1,600 in purchases Cordova made with gift cards, according to the affidavit.

Clovis Schools Superintendent Rhonda Seidenwurm said Cordova is no longer employed with Clovis Schools, but had no other comment.

Efforts to contact Cordova for comment were unsuccessful.