Booster Club President Accused Of Stealing $11,500 From Fund

http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/article/203270/8/Reaction-to-Haines-City-Booster-Club-President-Arrest

HAINES CITY, Fla. – Faculty and students at Haines City High School are devastated after hearing about the theft of thousands of dollars from the school’s Booster Club. Also devastating, the person accused of stealing the money, the club’s own president.

The school’s athletic director, Michael Styles, says it really hurts the students who worked hard throughout last school year to raise the money. It was their best fundraising effort in years.

Wednesday, police arrested Alethea Pugh on grand theft. She’s accused of withdrawing $11,500 from the booster club account over a six month period, starting when she became president in November 2010.

Chief Richard Sloan, with Haines City Police, says they learned of the discrepancy in May and started an investigation with the State Attorney’s Office. According to Chief Sloan, Pugh has claimed she was asked to take the money out by the treasurer because there were no checks to pay various vendors. However, officials say her story did not add up.

Styles says he, and many others at the school, are surprised about Pugh’s arrest. He says she is well educated and well known in the area. In fact, Pugh was a city commission candidate about a year ago.

Pugh has been charged with grand theft,  which is a second degree felony. We’re told she’s already bonded out of jail.

Styles says the booster club account was left with some money, but nowhere near what they had. He says they’re working hard to raise what they can, so that the students this year can afford things like pre-game meals and uniforms.