But Barb Wahl very much is talking

And we will have more to say about what she has to say in upcoming installments.

March 9, 2001 Estes Park Trail Gazette

August 5, 2004 Loveland Reporter-Herald

Headline:  Former Superintendent Indicated

 

Subhead:  $60,000 theft from Estes Park schools alleged

 

Byline:  By Pamela Dickman, Reporter-Herald staff writer

 

While it seems there never is enough money for education, a former superintendent of Estes Park schools allegedly thought there was enough to buy himself a motor home, a sewing machine as a gift for his wife and family vacations, according to an indictment handed down Tuesday.

 

A grand jury indicted Richard Kastendieck at 7 p.m. Tuesday on six counts - five felonies and one misdemeanor - alleging theft, embezzlement, forgery and official misconduct.

 

The 52-year-old is accused of spending more than $60,000 in school district money for personal items while employed as superintendent, the indictment alleges.  

 

"That's a couple of teaching positions," said Barb Wahl, who used to serve on the Park School District board in Estes Park and now lives in Aurora.  "It's serious."

 

Kastendieck resigned in December 2003 after the school board decided not to renew his contract, which expired in June 2004.

 

He was then hired by the Colorado Department of Education as a regional team manager - a position he resigned Wednesday.

 

His resignation did not state a reason, said Cindy Howerter, assistant to the commissioner of education.

 

Kastendieck had not been arrested Wednesday on the warrant connected to the indictment.

 

Linda Jensen, spokeswoman for the 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office, said officials anticipate he will turn himself in or be apprehended this week.

 

The warrant carries a $100,000 bond.

 

Kastendieck declined to comment on the charges when reached at his office at the Colorado Department of Education on Wednesday.

 

The allegations are:  

 

Theft, a Class 3 felony punishable upon conviction by 12 years in prison.  The indictment alleges he spent $28,436.32 on a motor home and trailer for his own use - an amount that is part of a total of $60,000 he allegedly withdrew from a continuing education account he reportedly opened with school district money.

 

According to the indictment, Kastendieck admitted to a Colorado Bureau of Investigation agent that the purchases were not for school district use.

 

Theft, alleging he used a school district credit card to pay for personal travel, including $1,143.47 for a family trip to New York and $999 for trips to Oklahoma in four separate years and one trip to San Francisco.

 

Theft, alleging he bought a $2,000 sewing machine, which he then gave to his wife for Christmas, with a check from the district's general cash account.

 

Embezzlement and official misconduct, alleging he used district money for himself.

 

Forgery, alleging he created a false paper trail to receive checks totaling $34,683, which he allegedly deposited in the continuing education account.  He allegedly opened the account, and the statements sent to his home and withdrew money from the account, the indictment alleges.

 

If convicted of all charges and sentenced to the maximum, Kastendieck could face 30 years in state prison.

 

School officials noted accounting irregularities after Kastendieck resigned and alerted law enforcement officers, which led to the investigation and indictment, according to a written statement from the district.

 

Current Board President Larry Pesses, speaking on behalf of the district, did not specifically say whether suspicions of financial misuse led to the nonrenewal of Kastendieck's contract.

 

"It depends on who you ask," Pesses said.

 

"Our decision as a board to provide information to the district attorney's office was based on what information we found out after he left the district."

 

While school authorities plan to continue to cooperate with the investigation, Pesses said the indictment will not affect the daily business of education.

 

"Globally in the community, it's going to shock some people, make some people mad," Pesses said.

 

"I think it'll also be a jumping-off point for a better district."

 

Rumors of the indictment circled throughout the community before the charges were even handed down, according to Wahl.

 

Although Wahl said she suspected misdeeds by Kastendieck and often questioned him while she was on the board, she said she was surprised by the rumors and indictment for embezzlement.

 

"I thought, 'Oh my gosh, I can't really believe he would do that,'" Wahl said.

 

"I couldn't really believe someone would be that blatant."

 

The indictment, she said, has raised more questions, particularly, "How could that happen?"

 

She added, "I don't think this is the end of it.  Other people are going to have to answer questions."