UTICA — The former executive principal at the Notre Dame Junior-Senior High School in Utica is accused of stealing more than $3,000 from the school by writing checks to himself, according to the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office.

Leroy H. Kane, 62, no address available, pleaded not guilty before Judge Michael L. Dwyer on Monday to one count of third-degree grand larceny, court officials said.

His case was adjourned to Thursday to reappear with his attorney.

“It’s alleged that he stole over $3,000 from the Notre Dame Junior Senior High School where he worked,” explained District Attorney Scott D. McNamara.

Kane was indicted by a grand jury last week, McNamara said, and made his first appearance in court on Monday.

An indictment is a formal charge made against a person by a grand jury. It does not establish guilt or remove the presumption of innocence.

McNamara said Kane wrote checks on the school’s accounts and withdrew money for himself between March 2020 and June 2022.

Kane was released from his position in July 2022 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, which oversees Notre Dame High School.

Diocese officials declined to comment on the case on Tuesday.