What would you do if someone claiming to be a billionaire offered you millions for a good cause? For one Florida principal, the answer was sending a $100,000 check—and it didn’t end well.
Jan McGee, a long-time principal at Burns Science and Technology, found herself at the center of a scandal that cost her career. It all started when a scammer posing as Elon Musk promised millions in investments for the school in exchange for an upfront check. Despite repeated warnings from colleagues, McGee sent the money.
Thankfully, the school’s sharp-eyed business manager, Brent Appy, stepped in just in time to cancel the payment. But the damage was already done—at least to McGee’s reputation.
At a tense school board meeting, parents and staff confronted McGee, questioning how someone in her position could fall for such a scheme. One board member even refused to continue working with her. The outrage was palpable.
“I love this school more than anything else,” McGee said during the meeting, her voice filled with emotion. Then, in a move that surprised many, she announced her resignation. Applause erupted as she placed the microphone down and exited, marking the end of her tenure since 2011.
Burns Science and Technology, a school celebrated for its excellence and competitive admission process, now faces the fallout from this incident. This scandal also highlighted broader concerns about workplace culture, with some employees pointing to a “toxic work environment” as another issue under McGee’s leadership.
Though no money was ultimately lost, the sheer audacity of the scam—and the principal’s decision—left a lasting impression. According to an FBI report, scams like these are on the rise, with over $10.2 billion lost to fraud last year alone.
The lesson here? If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. For McGee, it’s a mistake she’ll likely never forget—and one the school community won’t either.
Would you have fallen for a scam like this? Share your thoughts, and don’t forget to pass this story along to friends—it’s a reminder we all need.
