The Monroe County schools finance director said alleged misspending was a problem in the Adult Education Department even before Monique Acevedo was promoted to coordinator.

John Andola, the adult and vocational education director before he retired in 2005, also misused his school district credit card, Finance Director Kathy Reitzel told state investigators under oath.

In her sworn deposition, Reitzel accuses Andola of letting his gay partner use his card for personal purchases, then claiming they were fraudulent and having the Finance Department issue him a new card.

Andola refused to comment on the allegation Friday.

Reitzel was telling investigators how, in February, she questioned Acevedo about her suspicious purchases, to which Acevedo declared, "It's always been done this way," Reitzel told investigators.

"Monique looked at me and said, 'When my predecessor, John Andola, had a problem with fraud on his credit card, your predecessor, Jollie Jerry, said, 'Where should I send the new card?' " Reitzel told investigators. "At that point, I thought, she doesn't get it. She really doesn't get it, because first of all, John Andola's problem with the credit card is he gave it to his partner and let his partner go on a spending spree and then claimed it was fraud."

It was unclear Friday why the State Attorney's Office has not questioned Andola about Reitzel's allegation, which she made to State Attorney's Office investigator Andrew Kempel and Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigator Jeff Hutchins on April 14.

On April 24, during a short telephone interview, Kempel questioned Andola about the cosmetology program's cash-only student and salon service fees. Andola denied handling any money, saying that was the sole responsibility of Acevedo, who then was his office manager.

"I was in charge, [but] in terms of detail, she had the front line," Andola told Kempel.

The revelation prompted Andola to step down as an Editorial Board member of The Citizen until the investigation is complete. He continues to write a weekly column on various community issues.

"Because recently released depositions in the school district investigation have brought his name into the ongoing news coverage, John Andola informed me today he believes it is in the Editorial Board's best interest if he steps down from the board until the case is concluded or any questions about his involvement are resolved," Editor Tom Tuell said.

jguerra@keysnews.com