A Costco bill for eggs, bacon and potatoes at a California charter school helped uncover two suspected embezzlement cases involving almost $300,000 in public school funds. Investigators say the school’s former food services director and chief financial officer misused money in separate schemes.
The International School of Monterey in Seaside contacted police on Aug. 12, 2026, after questioning purchases made through its food program. Detectives later alleged that Terry Bumper, 42, had used approximately $58,800 in school money to buy ingredients for his private catering business.
The school subsequently raised concerns about former chief financial officer Rosa Segura, 45. Police suspect she spent approximately $238,000 on personal expenses, bringing the combined alleged misuse to about $296,800.
Seaside police announced both arrests on Oct. 28. Bumper has pleaded not guilty to a felony embezzlement charge filed in Monterey County Superior Court, while Segura had not been formally charged as of the latest reporting on Oct. 30.
A Costco Breakfast Order Raised Questions About School Spending
Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges told SFGATE that a school administrator questioned the Costco breakfast order because the quantities purchased were far greater than the meal required.
A review of additional orders turned up seafood, spicy ingredients and other foods that investigators said were not served to students. Some resembled dishes offered by Flava 2 You, the private catering company Bumper started in 2023. Detectives also identified purchases made when school was not in session, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Borges told SFGATE that school emails and Venmo transactions indicated Bumper had charged outside customers to use the school’s kitchen and equipment for private events without authorization.
The Accused Chef Had Been Praised for Transforming School Lunches
A year before his arrest, Bumper was profiled in Edible Monterey Bay for changing the school’s meal program. He replaced prepackaged frozen lunches with freshly cooked food, including international dishes and meals made with locally sourced ingredients.
The school’s operations administrator, Lisa Wichael Loomis, told the publication that student participation had doubled and the cost of the food program had been cut in half. The school had also recognized Bumper during a Food Hero Day celebration.
Bumper disputed the new allegations in an interview with Monterey County NOW. He said the food purchases were made for students and required another school employee’s approval, denied diverting school money to Flava 2 You, and said Segura had final authority over orders. He told the publication that his catering business had closed around the time of his arrest.
School Finance Chief Accused of Spending $238,000 on Personal Expenses
Police allege Segura spent approximately $238,000 in school funds on vacations, restaurants, spa treatments, hotels, clothing and online shopping.
Borges also identified Pilates classes, massages, Tesla charging and food deliveries among the expenses under review. He told SFGATE that investigators found evidence of forged signatures on checks and purchases made with school credit cards, while the Los Angeles Times reported his account of checks Segura allegedly wrote to herself.
As chief financial officer, Segura oversaw school spending, including invoices from other departments. Borges told the Los Angeles Times that her responsibilities included approving purchases associated with Bumper’s food program, but investigators said they had not found evidence that the two former employees collaborated.
The International School of Monterey serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Borges said school administrators cooperated with detectives and provided financial records.
Chef Pleads Not Guilty as Second Arrest Remains Under Investigation
Bumper was arrested Sept. 24. The Los Angeles Times reported that prosecutors filed one felony embezzlement count on Oct. 20. A Monterey County Superior Court case listing identifies the matter as The People v. Terry Bumper, case 26CR009836. The register also lists an Oct. 20 arraignment in Department 01 and a bail or surety posting that day.
According to Monterey County NOW, Bumper was released after posting $20,000 bail.
Segura was arrested Oct. 22 on suspicion of felony embezzlement. As of the Oct. 29 report from Monterey County NOW, the district attorney had not filed criminal charges against her, and Seaside Police Cmdr. Matthew Doza said investigators were pursuing a search warrant. The Los Angeles Times reported Oct. 30 that she had also been released on bail.
Both former employees were no longer working at the school, according to KSBW. Police said the two inquiries remained active in their October 28 press release.
Anyone with information about either investigation can contact Seaside Police Detective Sweyd at 831-899-6857.