A sitting Lower Merion school board member faces six felony charges after allegedly embezzling more than $50,000 from a Bala Cynwyd marketing firm where she worked.
Jennifer Rivera, 41, of the 100 block of Leland Road in Bala Cynwyd, turned herself in to Lower Merion Township police Monday, Aug. 24, and was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Adam T. Katzman on four counts of theft by deception, one count of receiving stolen property and one count of access device fraud, according to a joint announcement from District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Lower Merion Police Superintendent Andrew Block. All six charges are third-degree felonies.
Rivera was released on $25,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, before Magisterial District Judge Karen Eisner Zucker. As a condition of bail, Rivera is barred from contacting anyone at SMB, the law firm marketing agency on Saint Asaphs Road where the alleged thefts occurred.
How the investigation started
The case began in June 2026 when SMB's CEO and senior finance director reported to Lower Merion police that an internal financial review had uncovered unauthorized charges on a company-issued American Express card dating to September 2024, Main Line Media News reported.
The review was triggered when a finance official spotted a $1,339 Venmo payment to another employee on an American Express statement. That employee told the company the money was for videography and photography services at a friend's October 2025 Bar Mitzvah.
On June 11, company officials interviewed Rivera about the charges and told her she would be placed on administrative leave pending an audit. Her access to company accounts was revoked, and her laptop, keys and credit cards were confiscated. According to court documents, Rivera became distraught and said the accusation put her in a "dark spot."
Days later, Rivera contacted company officials to ask if they could "just fire her as the waiting is adding stress," according to the criminal complaint filed by Lower Merion Detective Daniel Gilbert.
What the audit found
The company audit tallied $50,243.31 in unauthorized spending, according to the complaint. That included $14,707.71 in airfare, $10,369.07 in hotel reservations and $230.85 in vehicle rentals booked for Rivera, family members and friends — totaling $25,307.63 in personal travel. Company policy allowed spouses on business trips if the employee reimbursed SMB, but additional travelers were not authorized.
Rivera also allegedly used the company's Amazon account for $25,596.68 in personal purchases, including clothing and bathroom accessories. One order, a dress, medicine cabinet organizer and bathroom cup dispenser shipped to her Bala Cynwyd home, was logged on a company spreadsheet as "Bill's Office Set-Up in PR."
The audit also found Rivera had booked a trip to the Bahamas for Aug. 1–8 using 906,593 company American Express points valued at $9,065.93, without authorization.
School board response
Rivera, a Democrat elected in November 2025, is in the first year of a four-year term. She co-chairs the board's Curriculum Committee and sits on the Facilities and Purchasing Committee. She attended the most recent board meeting Aug. 17, NBC Philadelphia reported.
Board President Dr. Kerry Sautner said the district learned Monday afternoon that Rivera had turned herself in. Sautner stressed that none of the charges involve the school district, its finances or taxpayer funds, but added that officials "must also consider the potential impact of this situation on our Board."
No statement from Rivera or an attorney representing her has been made public.
