×

Ripples felt from boosters theft case

While the investigation continues into exactly how much money may have been stolen from the Marietta Tiger Athletic Boosters by the club’s treasurer, members are working to put measures in place to ensure such a theft doesn’t happen again.

Meanwhile, school officials say even with greater financial assistance from the district, the loss of funds will impact student athletes, who may not receive new uniforms and other things on their wish lists.

The club’s former treasurer, Tara Hupp, 53, of 5250 State Route 26, Marietta, was charged Nov. 2, with the alleged theft of at least $30,000 in booster funds. Hupp, who was the longtime director of the Washington County Board of Elections, resigned from that position after being charged.

Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks said the confirmed amount so far of money stolen is $30,000 but Marietta City Schools Superintendent Will Hampton said he expects the loss to be much greater.

“We don’t know how far back this goes,” said Hampton. “We’re waiting until fur

ther in the investigation to fully understand how much never made it to our kids’ programs.”

Hupp served as treasurer for the club from August 2005 until Oct. 17 of this year.

“Because of that length of time we’re waiting on the subpoenas to be complied with from both Peoples Bank and Settlers Bank in Marietta,” Mincks said. “They’re having to produce records which go back years so it will take some time before that is complete.”

Club president Joyce Bertram said the booster officers became suspicious of the alleged theft this year after repeated requests for financial reports went unfilled by Hupp from July to October.

“On Oct. 17 we voted to relieve her of activities as treasurer, but then I called an emergency meeting on Oct. 31 after I went to the bank and I saw all of the checks written to cash,” explained Bertram.

At the Oct. 31 meeting the club’s officers decided to investigate the missing funds and contacted a forensic accountant. On Nov. 2 members of the Marietta City Schools Board of Education contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office concerning the alleged theft from the booster club. Later that evening Hupp was charged with theft.

“I’m guilty of trusting her and the long-standing practice that many presidents before me had used to streamline getting the supplemental funds to coaches and paying our  bills,” said Bertram of the pre-signed checks Hupp allegedly cashed. “Looking ahead we’ll need better balance and oversight as a board to ensure all funds are accounted for.”

Bertram explained that the reason the club and officials could not pinpoint how much had been stolen even for the current school year is because club officers only monitored the $27,000 general fund used as discretionary spending for each of the school system’s 18 varsity sports.

“Each year each sport is given around $1,500 towards their discretionary spends from the club but then any other monies passing through us were the funds they were raising on their own and reporting to Tara,” she said. “So we don’t know how much was actually raised from year to year and how much was skimmed off the top.”

The boosters have four main fundraising initiatives each year, including the lemon shake stand at the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival in the fall and the Orange and Black Dinner every March. This year the stand brought in about $14,000 and the dinner averages a $23,000 intake. The other two events which raise funds are the alumni basketball tournament and engraved brick sales for the Tiger Walkway of Honor.

On the school system’s side, the district provides $220,000 per year to support athletics, according to Hampton.

“We’re going to help the boosters support the teams until they can get back on their feet and hopefully their bonding insurance kicks in,” he said. “But coaches know now that spends will be about needs, not wants this year.”

Funds raised for new uniforms and equipment, especially for the football team, are where much of the loss will affect student athletes.

Moving forward, Hampton and Russ Garrison, member of the district’s board of education, said they hope that procedures will change within the booster club not only to prevent further theft, but also to allow that tax-exempt status to continue with the state.

“But ultimately as a separate tax-exempt organization, we are not directly connected rather, we walk in step together to support the programs,” said Hampton.

Garrison added that the school board will wait to consider the efficacy of the booster club’s new direction until after the investigation by the sheriff’s office is complete.

“It will be up to our board to make an evaluation of their changes and adherence to their bylaws,” said Garrison. “But I would hope that the oversight from the state auditor and the (Internal Revenue Service) agrees that the changes will be adequate to keep their 501c3 status.”

Bertram, Hampton and Garrison would not speak to exact checks and balances which will be put in place to prevent future theft, pending the completion of the investigation.

Timeline of events

¯ July through October –  Marietta Tiger Athletic Boosters received no financial reports from then-treasurer Tara Hupp.

¯ Oct. 17 – Club officers vote to relieve Hupp of duties.

¯ Oct. 31 – Emergency meeting called after club president Joyce Bertram reviewed bank statements and noticed checks written to cash.

¯ Officers appointed an interim treasurer.

¯ Officers contacted forensic accountant to investigate.

¯ Nov. 2:

¯ Marietta City Schools Board contacted Washington County Sheriff’s Office concerning the alleged theft of $30,000 from the booster club.

¯ Tara Hupp, 53, of 5250 State Route 26, Marietta was charged with theft.

¯ Nov. 16 – Charges against Hupp were dismissed in Marietta Municipal Court in anticipation of an indictment by a grand jury in Washington County Common Pleas Court.

What’s next

¯ WCSO continues the investigation and Hupp’s case will likely be presented to a grantdjury for possible indictment.

¯ Washington County Prosecutor Kevin Rings said Hupp will need to be tried by a special prosecutor since she is also a former employee of the county.

Source: Times research.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.15/week.

Subscribe Today