Ex-Chicago principal found dead on day of sentencing in fraud case, lawyer says

Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune on May 7, 2025

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CHICAGO — Former Brennemann Elementary School Principal Sarah Jackson Abedelal was found dead after she failed to show up for her sentencing in an overtime kickback scheme, her lawyer told a judge Wednesday.

Abedelal, 61, had been scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday morning before U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis, who issued an arrest warrant after she failed to show up an rescheduled the hearing for Wednesday afternoon.

At those proceedings, Abedelal’s attorney, Jonathan Bedi, told the judge he was informed last night that his client had passed away. No further details of the circumstances of her death were discussed in court.

Ellis told Bedi to extend the court’s condolences to Abedelal’s family. Assistant U.S. Attorney Prashant Kolluri said that once the death certificate is verified the case will be dropped.

Afterward, Bedi and his law partner, Dena Singer, released a statement saying “it is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Sarah Abedelal.”

“Despite the charges in her case, Sarah positively impacted the educational journeys of hundreds of students,” the statement read. “While charges resulted in Sarah’s plea of guilty, this single chapter did not define her. She was a wonderful friend and family member. Sarah will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and colleagues.”

Her family asked for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time.

Abedelal was charged in July 2021 in a 10-count wire fraud indictment alleging a seven-year scheme to have employees file for overtime they didn’t work and kick back at least $200,000 to her, which she allegedly used for her own purposes including for her car and her student loans.

Abedelal was one of six defendants — including two of her underlings — ensnared in the case, which also involved an alleged scheme to falsify orders for school supplies to provide iPhones, iPads and prepaid gift cards to school officials for personal use.

Abedelal pleaded guilty to a single wire fraud count nearly three years ago. Prosecutors had been seeking a 38-month prison sentence, arguing she “diverted critical funds meant to further children’s education away from a school and school district that were already having financial difficulties in order to line her pockets.”

Among the personal items she bought with the stolen funds were a Tiffany’s bracelet, gold hoop earrings, clothes, a Chanel bag, Jimmy Choo shoes, and perfume, prosecutors said.

Abedelal’s attorneys, meanwhile, had asked for six months behind bars. In a recent court filing, Abedelal’s lawyers said she has a history of mental issues including bipolar disorder and depression, and they asked she be placed in a treatment program if she was incarcerated.

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