Olmsted principal on paid leave after admitting insurance fraud

Jan. 29--A Buffalo school principal has been placed on paid administrative leave after pleading guilty this week to a misdemeanor charge of insurance fraud.

Parette Walker, principal at Olmsted School 64 on Amherst Street, could face a jail term of up to one year when she is sentenced Feb. 10, according to the Erie County District Attorney's Office.

When asked Friday about Walker's status at the school, Buffalo Public Schools released this statement:

"The district was notified that Parette Walker pled guilty to misdemeanor insurance fraud in Buffalo City Court. Upon notification, the district placed Ms. Walker on paid administrative leave, per district policy, pending the outcome of court proceedings."

The school is adequately staffed at this time, the district said.

Walker, 53, of Lancaster, served as assistant principal at Olmsted for several years, before being appointed principal at the beginning of the school year to replace Nora Trincanati, who retired.

Walker was accused of committing insurance fraud by falsely collecting disability benefits from her private insurance company. She was charged after an investigation by the state Department of Financial Services, the district attorney's office said.

Walker already has repaid the funds she collected from First Unum Life Insurance Company.

She pleaded guilty Thursday to a misdemeanor charge of fifth-degree insurance fraud before Buffalo City Judge Kevin J. Keane.

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