Director of Milwaukee’s New Hope Institute of Science and Technology Charter School
Indicted for Embezzlement

United States Attorney Steven M. Biskupic announced today that a grand jury returned a
two-count embezzlement indictment against Rosella Tucker, the Director of Milwaukee’s New Hope
Institute of Science and Technology Charter School, 3500 West Center Street, Milwaukee. Tucker,
54, is a resident of Milwaukee.

The indictment alleges that in 2003, Tucker established New Hope Institute of Science and
Technology (NHIST), after being granted a charter by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors.
NHIST was established as a subsidiary of Tucker’s umbrella corporation, New Hope Child
Development Center (NHCDC), which also included her voucher school, Tucker Institute of
Learning. Tucker served as the director of both NHIST and NHCDC.

As a charter school, NHIST received federal monies in the form of Title I funding through
the Milwaukee Public Schools. NHIST also received federal monies in the form of Title V funding
through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Both Title I and Title V funding are based
on the Elementary & Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended. The indictment alleges that
from 2003 to 2005, Tucker embezzled over $300,000 in funds from NHIST.

In 2006, MPS closed NHIST for failure to meet its financial obligations.

The indictment charges two counts of theft of monies from a program receiving federal
funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666. As to each count, Tucker faces a maximum of 10 years
imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the
United States Department of Education. The case has been assigned to Assistant United States
Attorney Tracy M. Johnson for prosecution.

The public is warned that an indictment is merely a method by which to charge an individual
with criminal conduct. But the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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