A former boys soccer coach at Delaware Hayes High School pleaded guilty yesterday to stealing nearly $20,000 from a booster account over more than two years.
Brett Barber, 35, of Hilliard, admitted to a fifth-degree felony count of theft in Delaware Common Pleas Court, said Traci Whittaker, spokeswoman for Prosecuting Attorney Dave Yost.
The maximum sentence is one year in prison and a $2,500 fine, but prosecutors will not oppose community control, Whittaker said.
Barber was indicted in July on a fourth-degree charge, which would have carried a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
He is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 10 by Common Pleas Judge Everett H. Krueger. Restitution will be determined at that time.
As the head soccer coach, Barber had signature authority for the team’s booster account. Several Delaware school-district employees contacted Delaware police in January 2010 to report instances when Barber had withdrawn money for use not related to the team, Whittaker said.
Barber stole booster-club money from March 2007 through the fall of 2009, withdrawing $19,825 in 198 fraudulent transactions. The money was used for cell-phone bills, moving costs, auto repairs, restaurant bills and checks to himself, Whittaker said.
Barber resigned as coach in December 2009 after three seasons with the school. He was paid a stipend of about $4,300 in his last season of coaching.
A message left at Barber’s home was not returned. His attorney, E. Dennis Muchnicki, said Barber might agree to pay restitution as part of his sentence.
Since the theft was discovered, Delaware school-district officials have worked with booster clubs to ensure that accounts are protected against theft, said district spokeswoman Jen Ruhe. The district does not oversee booster-club funds.
Coaches also now meet annually with their athletic director to discuss their responsibilities regarding team money.
“We’re using it as a learning tool,” Ruhe said. “Certainly, it’s been an eye-opening experience for some of the booster groups.”
