Secretary of Principal Stricken with Cancer Accused of Stealing from Fundraiser [Video]

An Ohio woman is facing charges on accusations she stole the funds that she raised on behalf of her ailing boss to donate to cancer research, according to authorities. 

Michael Fording, who was the principal at a Lyndhurst, Ohio, high school, died in November, according to an online obituary. 

Stacie LaRiccia, his long-time secretary, allegedly started a fundraiser before his death, saying that he was suffering from colon cancer and claiming that the funds would go to his family as well as towards colon cancer research.

But none of the intended targets received the funds, authorities say, News 5 Cleveland, WKYC and FOX 8 reported.

LaRiccia was arrested on March 15 and charged with theft by deception, per WKYC.

The fundraiser was pegged to a 5K race in October, per the race’s website, with the aim to donate to “colon cancer research, as well as the family of Michael Fording, Principal of Charles F. Brush …