On July 17, 2025, a federal grand jury returned a sealed indictment against Nicholas M. Retana, 67, of Madera. He is charged with one count of embezzling money from a program that received federal funding, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez.
The indictment was unsealed on Monday and Retana was arraigned. Court documents reveal that Retana was the founder and executive director of a kindergarten through 8th-grade charter school in Madera County until early 2020. During his tenure, he allegedly used school funds for improper personal expenses benefiting himself, his family, and associates. It is claimed that he concealed these expenditures by mislabeling them in school accounting records and misrepresenting them when questioned.
One instance cited involves the purchase of new Ford F-150 Raptor pickup trucks for his two sons using school funds. Additionally, it is alleged that he had a personal relationship with a self-proclaimed sex worker turned relationship coach to whom he paid $12,000 using school funds.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Spivak and Cody S. Chapple are prosecuting.
If convicted, Retana could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence would be determined at the court’s discretion after considering applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines which account for various variables. The charges are only allegations; Retana is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
