In August 2004, WRAL first reported about a fraud investigation in which at least $4 million was diverted from the Wake County Public School System in an automotive parts scheme involving then-employees of the school system's transportation department and a Wilson-based automotive parts company, Barnes Motors & Parts.

Investigators said the suspects submitted fake orders for auto parts and bought gift cards, trucks, boats, trailers and other high-priced items for themselves.

To date, seven people, including five former school system employees and two former Barnes' employees, have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in the fraud scheme. Sentences range from 60 days to 15 years in prison.

The Wake County school system has recovered an estimated $5 million.

  1. Players in Wake schools fraud case working again

    Former employees of the Wake County Public School System and a Wilson-based automotive parts supplier are working again while they serve prison sentences for their roles in a fraud scheme.

    1. Nov 10, 2008
  2. Wake schools fraud convict's house catches fire

    Johnston County authorities were called Thursday evening to a house in Benson registered to Harold Estes.

    1. Sep 26, 2008
  3. School fraud convict can't swap fine for more jail time

    Harold Estes' request to save himself $500,000 was denied. Records show Estes owns multiple properties valued at almost $1 million.

    1. Aug 4, 2008
  4. Court Rules Against Appeal in Wake Schools Fraud Case

    The only person not to plead guilty in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme involving the Wake County Public School System lost his appeal Tuesday.

    1. Oct 16, 2007
  5. Ex-Director In Wake Schools Fraud Scheme Loses Appeal

    A former Wake County school system administrator cannot withdraw his guilty plea in connection with a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme, the North Carolina Court of Appeals has ruled.

    1. Aug 7, 2007
  6. N.C. Appeals Court to Hear Wake Schools Fraud Case

    A man convicted in connection with a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme involving the Wake County Public School System will have his case heard before the North Carolina Court of Appeals in September.

    1. Jul 7, 2007
  7. Wake Bus Parts Inventory Found Lacking by State

    One year after the Wake County school system closed the book on a multimillion-dollar fraud case within its transportation department, a state inspection shows discrepancies with its bus-parts inventory continue.

    1. May 15, 2007
  8. Wake Schools Fraud Conspirator Sentenced to Prison

    The last person charged in the Wake County Schools fraud case was sentenced Tuesday to 20 to 33 months in prison.

    1. Dec 5, 2006
  9. Ex-Director In Wake Schools Fraud Scheme Files Appeal

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  10. Four People To Be Sentenced Monday In Wake Schools Fraud Case

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  11. More Players In Wake Schools Fraud Case Learn Fate

    1. Dec 31, 2006
  12. Man Found Guilty Of Defrauding Wake Schools

    1. Dec 25, 2006
  13. Wake Schools Fraud Defendant Bragged, Witness Says

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  14. Final Suspect In Wake Schools Fraud Scandal Heads To Trial

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  15. Details Begin To Emerge In Wake Schools Fraud Trial

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  16. Final Suspect In Wake Schools Fraud Scandal Heads To Trial

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  17. Auto Supplier Admits Role In Wake Schools Fraud Scheme

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  18. Former Transportation Director To Pay $25K To Wake School System

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  19. Vern Hatley To Appeal Judge's Decision

    1. Feb 12, 2006
  20. Hatley To Serve 7 To 10 Years For Role In Fraud Scheme

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  21. Judge Rejects Vern Hatley's Motion To Withdraw Guilty Plea

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  22. Former Director Knew About Fraud Scheme, Witness Testifies

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  23. Judge To Rule On Hatley's Motion To Withdraw Guilty Plea

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  24. Auto Parts Company To Plead Guilty In Wake Schools Fraud Case

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  25. Auto Parts Company Indicted In Fraud Scheme; Hatley Case Continued

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  26. Motion Filed To Withdraw Hatley Guilty Plea In Fraud Case

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  27. Another Wake School Transportation Employee Pleads Guilty In Fraud Case

    1. Dec 31, 2006
  28. Two Former Wake School Employees Plead Guilty In Fraud Case

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  29. Two More Suspects In Wake Schools Fraud Scheme Arrested

    1. Nov 17, 2005
  30. Two More Suspects Indicted In Wake Schools Fraud Case

    1. Nov 1, 2005
  31. Wake County School System Hires Outside Auditor

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  32. Investigator: Push To Spend All Of Wake School Budget Contributed To Fraud Scheme

    1. Oct 13, 2005
  33. 3 Plead Guilty In Wake Schools Transportation Fraud Scheme

    1. Oct 12, 2005
  34. Judge Reduces Bond For Suspect In Wake School System Fraud Case

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  35. State Auditor To Review State Spending

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  36. Four More Suspects Arrested In Wake School Fraud Investigation

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  37. McNeal: Wake Schools Fraud Scheme 'Offensive'

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  38. Five Indicted In Wake School System Fraud Investigation

    1. Sep 13, 2005
  39. More Charges Possible In Alleged Wake Schools Fraud Scheme

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  40. Additional $98K Recovered In Wake School Transportation Fraud Case

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  41. Garden Store Returns Gifts Received From Wake Schools Fraud Suspect

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  42. Wake School Transportation Fraud Suspect Hands Over Property

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  43. Wake School Board Finalizes Plan For Outside Audit

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  44. Board Member: Wake School System Needs To Win Back Public Trust

    1. Jul 20, 2005
  45. Woman In Wake Schools Fraud Scandal Agrees To Pay More Money

    1. Jul 20, 2005
  46. Court Affidavit Reveals Details In Wake School System Fraud Case

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  47. Suspect Arrested In Wake School Transportation Fraud Case

    1. Dec 31, 2006
  48. Wake School Board Considers Outside Audit

    1. Jul 12, 2005
  49. Wake School Superintendent Addresses Rumor Related To Fraud Investigation

    1. Jun 11, 2005
  50. Former Wake County School System Employee Confesses To Fraud

    1. Jun 11, 2005
  51. Wake School System Fires Employee With Possible Link To Fraud Scheme

    1. May 27, 2005
  52. Wake School Board Looks To Outside Experts To Assess Accounting Practices

    1. May 18, 2005
  53. Dept. Of Instruction Demands School System Take Steps To Prevent Fraud

    1. May 6, 2005
  54. Wake D.A.: Charges Could Come This Summer In Fraud Investigation

    1. May 4, 2005
  55. WRAL Tracks Down Suspect In Wake County Fraud Scheme

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  56. Wake School System Tries To Recoup Loss From Alleged Fraud Scheme

    1. Nov 18, 2006
  57. FBI: White-Collar Crime Can Be Difficult To Detect

    1. Apr 28, 2005
  58. Wake County School Leaders Reveal New Details In Transportation Scandal

    1. Apr 26, 2005
  59. More Former County Employees Return Merchandise To Wake Schools

    1. Apr 25, 2005
  60. Wake Transportation Workers Return Money, Property To School System

    1. Apr 23, 2005
  61. WRAL Investigates Purchases By Wake Schools Transportation Dept., Bus Parts Supplier

    1. Jan 26, 2005
  62. Money For Wake School Bus Parts May Have Been Used For TVs, Gift Cards

    1. Jan 21, 2005
  63. Wake School Transportation Director Resigns

    1. Oct 20, 2004
  64. Supplier In Wake Schools Transportation Dept. Controversy Takes Action

    1. Sep 14, 2004
  65. Paperwork Reveals Problems Within Wake Schools' Transporation Dept.

    1. Sep 3, 2004
  66. Wake Superintendent Responds To Problems At School Transportation Dept.

    1. Aug 31, 2004
  67. Wake Schools Make Changes After Transportation Dept. Investigation

    1. Aug 30, 2004
  68. SBI Investigates Wake Schools Transportation Department

    1. Aug 26, 2004