Woman pleads guilty to stealing $239,820 from Richmond Catholic school and spending it on herself

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Richmond woman pleaded guilty to using just under $240,000 of a local Catholic school's funds to buy tickets to the musical "Hamilton," go on expensive vacations, buy luxury items and more.

Between May 2021 and June 2024, 46-year-old Shannel Peoples-Hilliard served as the business manager for a private K-8 Catholic school in Richmond. This school "primarily serves middle-income minority families, including underprivileged students," according to court documents.

During that time, Peoples-Hilliard reportedly exploited her access to a school credit card to embezzle a total of $239,820 from her employer.

She would use the credit card to buy things for herself, then pay off the card using the school's bank account. Per court documents, Peoples-Hilliard would then make false statements in the school's bank-related reports to conceal her actions.

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Some of the purchases Peoples-Hilliard reportedly made include:

• Vacations to places like Orlando, Florida, Las Vegas, Nevada, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Miami, Florida
• Tickets to see performances like the musical “Hamilton,” as well as artists like User, LL Cool J and Capitol Jazz
• A Royal Caribbean cruise
• Luxury items like purses and jewelry
• A deposit at the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing, a restaurant, for a personal graduation party
• Living expenses, such as rent

On Thursday, Sept. 4, Peoples-Hilliard pleaded guilty to wire fraud, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). She faces up to 20 years in prison -- though the DOJ noted that actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than their maximum penalties.

Peoples-Hilliard's sentencing will take place on Jan. 22, 2026.