President Of Edmond Santa Fe Cheer Booster Club Accused Of Embezzlement

The president of Edmond's Santa Fe Cheer Booster Club has been accused of embezzling more than $7,000 from the organization.

Stacey Lynn Torre became president of the club since it was organized in September, 2013. Police said she filled out an application in January to get a debit card for the club's account.

In July, the club attempted to be sanctioned by the Edmond School District for the 2014-15 school year. However, police said Torre did not provide the proper paperwork. Torre reportedly refused to disclose all requested records, and parents became concerned and began investigating.

Police learned that Torre made herself the only authorized signer on the club's bank account. Police said they looked over the organization's bank statements Torre turned into the school district, and noticed that Torre spent large sums of money at various restaurants, hotels and other unauthorized purchases. There were also overdraft fees.

When Torre was confronted about the charges, police said she was argumentative and refused to cooperate.

According to the police report, the club raised over $15,000 through various fundraisers and donations, but one bank statement shows a balance of less than $200, and it has multiple “non-sufficient funds” charges. The club has several outstanding bills that are still unpaid, according to police.

In October, police said they obtained a search warrant for the club's bank records. Officers said they noticed seven $100 transactions made at Athletic Republic, a sports performance training facility. After speaking with an employee at the facility, police learned that Torre had used to the club's card to pay for a 6-month contract for her son.

According to police, Torre also paid for a hotel room with the club's card. 

Transactions from the club's bank statements that were not related to the club added up to $7,077.

Torre is now facing eight counts of violating the Computer Crimes Act. Edmond police said they have presented the charges to the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office.

Officials with the Edmond Public Schools District released the following statement,

"The Santa Fe Cheer and Booster Club was established and sanctioned in September 2013. When the organization applied for a sanctioning application for the 2014-15 year, district personnel noticed suspicious activity in its financial reporting inconsistent with typical booster club operations. Based on our review, the district's business office asked the organization to provide additional, detailed documentation which it failed to do. The group's sanctioning application was then subsequently denied.

The alleged misconduct of one person is regrettable but is in no way indicative of the transparent way in which the other 65 sanctioned organizations in the district handle their accounts and conduct business annually. Edmond Public Schools sincerely hopes that the community continues to support these organizations that provide important services and opportunities for our students."

Background:

Sanctioned organizations are separate organizations with their own tax ID numbers and bank accounts. As a service, the district evaluates whether the goals, methods and financial controls of the organization are sufficient to raise money for students."

Torre's attorney released the following statement, "We believe this is a terrible misunderstanding. We are confident it will be resolved in a manner favorable to all parties."