A former Madera County charter school executive has been charged with embezzling federal funds intended for a school serving disadvantaged students, federal prosecutors said.

Nicholas M. Retana, 67, of Madera, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Thursday and arraigned Monday after the indictment was unsealed, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced.

Retana, who founded and served as executive director of Ezequiel Tafoya Alvarado Academy, a kindergarten through 8th grade charter school in Madera County until early 2020, is accused of using school funds for personal expenses and attempting to cover up the spending by mislabeling transactions in the school’s accounting records.

School Funds Paid for Raptor Pickup Trucks: Prosecutors

Prosecutors allege that Retana used school funds to buy two Ford F-150 Raptor trucks for his sons and paid $12,000 to a self-proclaimed sex worker turned relationship coach with whom he had a personal relationship.

The case is being investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Spivak and Cody S. Chapple are prosecuting.

If convicted, Retana faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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