October 1, 2026: Executive Director of Shuttered Antelope Valley Charter School Charged With Embezzling Over $150,000 in Public Funds

LANCASTER, Calif. - The executive director of a defunct Antelope Valley charter school has been charged in a whirlwind scheme to embezzle more than $150,000 in public funds within six months of successfully petitioning the Antelope Valley Unified High School District to establish the school and name him executive director.

Derrick Devaul Spiva (dob 10/30/61) of Lancaster is charged in case 26CJCF06132 with one felony count of misappropriation of public funds, one felony count of embezzlement of public funds, one felony count of grand theft, one felony count of money laundering and one felony count of conflict of interest. An aggravated white-collar crime sentencing enhancement is also alleged.

"Stealing public money meant to educate children is unconscionable," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "The alleged sequence of events in this case shows a brazen disregard for the Antelope Valley Unified High School District, students and the entire system of public education. My office has no tolerance for stealing from the public. Our Public Integrity Division will seek to hold the defendant fully accountable."

California charter schools are independently run public schools operating under a contract with an authorizing entity, such as a school district. The schools are independently governed by a board of directors of a nonprofit public benefit corporation.

In February 2023, Spiva petitioned the Antelope Valley Unified High School District Board of Trustees to open a charter school called the Synergy School of Arts and Technology, a California nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation, seeking to establish Synergy as a "first-of-its-kind arts and technology-based transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade charter school in the Antelope Valley."

In April 2023, the District passed and adopted Spiva's petition. In May 2023, Synergy's Board of Directors hired Spiva as the executive director. The charter school was slated to open in September 2023.

Between June 28 and Oct. 13, 2023, Spiva allegedly stole over $150,000 in public funds from Synergy's bank account by making unauthorized payments to himself, his business and his domestic partner. He allegedly used some of the public funds for travel, theatre tickets and electronic devices.

The Synergy School of Arts and Technology opened in September 2023 with approximately 100 children enrolled in two campuses in Lancaster. After the school opened, Synergy discovered the missing funds. In November 2023, the Board terminated Spiva. The school closed in December 2023.

Spiva faces up to six years and eight months in state prison if convicted as charged.

At his initial court appearance on Sept. 28, Spiva's arraignment was set for Nov. 16 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. He was released on his own recognizance on the condition that he is booked at a local police station and provides proof of booking on the next court date.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Stefan Mrakich of the Public Integrity Division and investigated by the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.