Saturday, November 13, 2010

Vt high school coach accused of embezzlement

Police say a Vermont high school football coach has been accused of embezzlement after money he collected for players' sweatshirts ended up in his bank account.

Detective Sgt. David Rowland tells the Bennington Banner players didn't receive the sweatshirts. Mount Anthony Union High School Athletics Director Tim Brown eventually contacted police.
Police noticed that $1,725 raised was in LaLonde's account, instead of a school activities account. Rowland said the money was wired in two installments to a location in Texas to pay LaLonde's rent. Rowland says LaLonde has since returned most of the money.
LaLonde said Saturday he didn't have an attorney and declined to comment further.
A Vermont high school football coach who pleaded guilty to embezzling money he collected for players' sweat shirts said he expects to be exonerated.


Steve LaLonde, 48, of Bennington pleaded guilty Tuesday. Sentencing is set for next week.
LaLonde said the students were not deprived of their sweat shirts, and the shirt company was paid. He says he made a mistake by not following proper school procedures.

Police said $1,725 raised for the sweat shirts was put into LaLonde's account rather than a school activities account. Court documents say LaLonde told police he'd used some of the money to pay his rent.

LaLonde calls it an unfortunate situation that got blown out of proportion.

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