For Immediate Release
February 8, 2017
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla -- Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Andrea Velandia, 37, of 11171 NW 10th PL, Coral Springs, Florida on one count of grand theft.
On May 19, FDLE received a complaint from the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Florida Department of Education (FDOE). The complaint alleged that Andrea Velandia, owner of World Academy of Learning, was receiving Florida Tax Credit (FTC) subsidies through Step Up for Students (SUFS) for 10 students not actually enrolled at the school. Signatures on negotiated SUFS checks were fraudulently signed in place of the legitimate counter signature of the parents of the students who had left World Academy of learning for other schools. The total amount of SUFS funds fraudulently obtained by Andrea Velandia was approximately $63,056.26.
FDLE, working with the Coral Springs Police Department, located and arrested Andrea Velandia yesterday at her home and she was booked into the Broward County Jail. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 17th Judicial Circuit.
For Further Information Contact:
Gretl Plessinger, or Jessica Cary
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001