Principal resigns after sending $100K to Elon Musk scammer
Florida school principal Janet McGee is resigning after sending a $100,000 check to a scammer posing as Elon Musk. (Screenshot from NBC Orlando affiliate WESH 2 News school board meeting)
The principal of a charter science and technology school in Florida has announced her resignation after she allegedly wrote a check for $100,000 from a school account to someone she believed to be Elon Musk in hopes of investing millions from the SpaceX founder, according to media reports.
McGee allegedly said that a person posing as the SpaceX founder scammed her online, according to NBC Orlando affiliate WESH.
The channel reported that she spent months speaking to the person she believed to be Musk, hoping he would invest millions in the school for $100,000 upfront.
No money was paid. A check was voided when the school’s chief executive found out. It is unclear if the police were involved in an investigation into the fraud.
On Tuesday night, Burns’ director of science and technology, Janet McGee, addressed a school board meeting before departing to applause.
“I love this school more than anything,” said Jan McGee. “If that means your government will stay, I am handing in my resignation.”
School officials said at Tuesday’s meeting McGee had been repeatedly warned it was a scam.
Located in Oak Hill, Fla. about 60 miles northeast of Orlando, the school has fewer than 1,000 students and a long waiting list.
In her mission statement, McGee, who has been at the school since 2011, according to media reports, wrote that the school “offers a project-based, active learning environment that encourages students to connect learning to real life.”
“We encourage critical thinking, independent problem solving, strong communication skills and ambitious goal setting,” the statement said.
It was still listed on the school’s website as of Wednesday afternoon.
Email messages from Law&Crime seeking comments from Volusia County Schools Superintendent McGee and the school board chairman did not immediately receive a response.
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https://lawandcrime.com/crime/principal-at-florida-science-and-tech-charter-school-resigns-after-sending-100k-to-scammer-posing-as-elon-musk/ Principal resigns after sending $100K to Elon Musk scammer
