News
Former Commissioner Charged With Stealing More Than $8,000 From Youth League
< < Back to former-commissioner-charged-stealing-more-8000-youth-leagueThe former commissioner of the Trimble Twp. Youth League has been charged with stealing more than $8,000 from the organization.
Chad A. Warren, 39, of Glouster, pleaded innocent Wednesday in Athens County Common Pleas Court to a fourth-degree felony charge of grand theft. There is no presumption of prison time associated with this case.
Warren was released on his own recognizance. Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said Warren surrendered on his own accord after an investigation conducted by Det. Brice Fick, of the Athens County Sheriff’s Office, resulted in a charge against Warren.
In a news release, Blackburn said “Warren is accused of withdrawing money from the Trimble Twp. Youth League bank account, while he was an officer, for his personal use.” Blackburn told The Messenger that more than $8,000 was stolen.
In a post on the Trimble Twp. Youth League’s Facebook page from October, it was announced that Warren was no longer the commissioner of the league.
“We are not at liberty to further discuss the details of the situation at this time,” the post continued.
Tonya Kittle, who has served as the vice commissioner, was moved to the commissioner’s role and the league is still looking for a new vice commissioner, according to the page. Kittle could not be reached for comment.
Earlier this year, the Wee Cats cheerleading organization was victim of theft by its leader in the amount of $4,000. Christa Shutts, of Jacksonville, pleaded guilty to the theft charge and was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and pay restitution.
At the time, the Wee Cats were operating as a non-profit incorrectly and using the Trimble Twp. Youth League’s non-profit status as its own. The Athens County Prosecutor’s Office has since helped the organization establish its own non-profit status.
According to Blackburn, Warren was part of the effort to protect the Wee Cats’ money. Blackburn said that Warren is not alleged to have stolen any of the raised money since that incident from the Trimble Twp. Youth League and that the allegation is that funds were stolen over time from the league prior to the Shutts case.
Blackburn told The Messenger that the prosecutor’s office will be seeking restitution against Warren.
“It’s upsetting. People want to donate to these kids programs so that they can be successful. When things like this happen, it destroys the trust,” said Blackburn. “People who do this (steal) are going to get caught. Hopefully people will get the message to stop doing it.”
A jury trial is slated for March 3.