School Board Member Stole $50K From Her Former Main Line Employer: DA

BALA CYNWYD, PA — A Lower Merion School Board member is facing theft charges after authorities say she misused more than $50,000 of her former employer's funds for vacations, Bar Mitzvah videography and Amazon purchases.

Jennifer Rivera, 41, made the purchases on a company credit card while working for SMB, a law firm marketing agency in Bala Cynwyd, authorities said.

Rivera was charged Friday with four counts of theft and other third-degree felony offenses. She turned herself in Monday, when a judge set bail at $25,000 unsecured and ordered her not to contact anyone at SMB.

None of the charges relate to the Lower Merion School District.

Last year, Rivera was elected to the Lower Merion School Board on a Democratic ticket with Juanita Kerber, Anna Shurak and Dr. Kerry Sautner, who currently serves as board president.

Its uncertain whether the charges will impact Rivera's status with the governing body.

"As of this time, I have not had an opportunity to discuss Ms. Rivera’s future on the School Board with her," Sautner said in an emailed statement. "While it is important to note that anyone charged with a crime remains innocent until proven guilty, we must also consider the potential impact of this situation on our Board."

Rivera did not immediately return comment to Patch. Online court records do not list an attorney who could comment on her behalf.

Since November 2024, Rivera used a company-issued American Express card on over $50,000 in personal expenses, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

A company executive became suspicious May 8, when they reviewed an American Express statement that showed a $1,339 Venmo payment to another employee.

The employee, who has a personal videography and photography business, told the executive that Rivera paid him to film a Bar Mitzvah for her friend after a same-day cancelation. He said he "immediately knew it was shady," according to the affidavit.

Rivera's colleague further alleged that Rivera used American Express points to fly him and his wife out to an employee's wedding that he photographed. After asking Rivera multiple times if it was OK, Rivera claimed the company had extra points so it wasn't an issue, the affidavit says.

On June 11, SMB put Rivera on administrative leave, pending the results of an audit. Rivera contacted HR a few days later and asked if they could "just fire her as the waiting is adding stress," the affidavit says.

Auditors found Rivera spent more than $25,000 on a vacation for herself, family members and friends. Flights to the Bahamas worth over $9,000 were booked for August.

Nearly $24,000 in unauthorized Amazon purchases were also discovered.

The thefts were reported to police on June 18.

Rivera is in the first year of her four-year School Board term. She is co-chair of the board's Curriculum Committee and a member of its Facilities & Purchasing Committee. Here's more info on each committee.

The Curriculum Committee will be the first to meet, on Sept. 14. The full School Board's next meeting is two weeks later.

Rivera is set to return to court Sept. 2 for a preliminary hearing.