Former Florida teacher mailed threatening letters, white powder to her previous schools

A former Florida teacher mailed threatening letters with white powder to elementary schools she previously worked at and was fired from.

Maria Bassi Lauro in Tampa federal court on Thursday pleaded guilty to sending the letters and powder on, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Court records show she pleaded guilty to three counts of the hoax involving biological toxins. Three other charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement. 

The letters she sent back in 2018 were all to former employers who had a hand in her firing. 

She was fired from four previous schools because of her poor performance, according to the press release.

The letters all said there would be a “punishment” and she admitted that she wanted the recipients to believe they were exposed to a deadly toxin. The white powder was baking soda.

Lauro could face 15 years in federal prison for her actions.