BAYTOWN, Texas – An adult who supported cheerleaders at Baytown's Robert E. Lee High School has been charged with allegedly stealing more than $13,000 over the course of nearly two years from their booster club account.
Authorities say they are investigating the current president of the school's cheerleading booster club, who took the job in February 2011.
Club members said starting two months later, the president inappropriately acquired money from the club's account, without seeking the board's approval, of more than $13,000.
In a statement to Local 2, a spokesman with the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District confirmed an investigation and said the allegation does not involve school district funds.
"The booster club operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and raises funds independently from the school district to support cheerleader activities," said the spokesman.
"I've never really heard of anything happen like that out here," said Ina Frederick, a Baytown parent. "It's really shocking."
The president allegedly was taking money up until early last week. Ironically, the cheerleaders have a code of conduct they're expected to live by, but may have been victimized by an adult who should've known better.
"They're adults and they're supposed to lead by example," said Maria George, a parent. "If they are not setting examples for these little kids coming up, how do we want our kids to obey us when we as adults aren't setting examples?"
Police said they are continuing the investigation to determine if more money was stolen and to see if anyone else may have been involved.