Two school staffers at a charter school in California were arrested last month after they were accused of embezzling roughly $300k from the school’s funds. The pair were caught by authorities after one of the two placed a suspiciously large breakfast order at Costco.
According to the Los Angeles Times, two employees from The International School of Monterey in Seaside siphoned off the money to use for their own businesses and personal expenses, with the fraudulent activity for one of the suspects allegedly dating back to 2022.
The school’s former food services director, Terry Bumper, and the Chief Financial Officer, Rosa Segura, were arrested within days of each other, with Bumper being charged on October 20, and Segura on October 22.
The pair were caught in August after a Monterey school administrator noticed an invoice submitted by Bumper for eggs, bacon, and potatoes from Costco. Police received the tip about a large breakfast, which detectives found to be inconsistent with school meals but did match the items being advertised on the menu of his catering business.
While investigating the funds allegedly embezzled by Bumper, investigators discovered Segura’s alleged fraudulent activity too. Between the two, they had embezzled almost $300,000 from the publicly funded school’s funds.
The embezzling scandal
Bumper allegedly embezzled $58,800 from the school, which he used to buy products for his catering business, Flava 2, according to authorities. He was also accused of renting out the school kitchen for personal profit. Bumper was charged with one count of embezzlement, to which he pleaded not guilty. He was released the same day after posting the $20,000 bond.
Segura was accused of taking over $238,000 to fund her expenses and services such as luxury trips, restaurant dining, spas, Pilates, and Tesla charging. “She made Bumper look like a saint the way she was ripping off the school,” Police Chief Nick Borges said. Segura also allegedly used the school’s pocketbook to write herself checks.
The case against Segura is awaiting review by the District Attorney’s Office; however, she was also able to post bail and has since been released from police custody.
Detectives have not found any evidence to suggest that Bumper and Segura’s embezzlement cases are connected. However, Borges noted that Segura was the chief financial officer and would have been the one responsible for approving invoices sent by Bumper. “Everything that has to do with money that goes through that school, she sees it,” he said.
Borges criticized the two school staffers for their alleged fraud, “When you have people entrusted with these very sensitive roles taking advantage of the system for their own self-gain,” he said. “It’s inappropriate, it’s illegal, it’s disgusting.”
Speaking to Monterey County NOW, Bumper denied stealing funds. “I did everything I could for them kids, and I would never steal from them kids,” he told the outlet. Segura has yet to publicly comment.
Published: Nov 2, 2026 02:45 pm