Foley PTO officers plead guilty to theft

Local News

May 15, 2009

By Brian Smith The Richmond Register Fri May 15, 2009, 10:36 PM EDT

The former president and treasurer of the Foley Middle School parent-teacher organization both pleaded guilty Friday to a theft charge for misappropriating more than $19,000 in funds while in office.

Oscar Combs, 43, was president of the organization for the 2007-08 school year, while Michelle Combs, 35, was treasurer at the same time.

Each pleaded guilty to a single count of theft by failure to make required disposition of property and will receive one year in prison under the terms of a plea agreement with the commonwealth attorney’s office.

According to the indictment against them, the duo “knowingly and unlawfully committed the offense of (the aforementioned charge) by obtaining property of the value of more than $300 from the Foley Middle School Parents Involved in Education Inc. organization, subject to an agreement to use the property for the benefit of the students and teachers at Foley Middle School and by intentionally dealing with the money as their own.”

Berea police began investigating the case after Couch’s successor as treasurer identified “discrepancies” in the organization’s accounts in September 2008.

According to Sgt. Danny Brewer, who testified at a preliminary hearing in the case in October 2008, the organization had unpaid bills of $9,634 at the start of the 2008-09 school year, but had only $3,722 in funds.

A review of checks written during Couch’s and Combs’ tenure in office revealed that at least $19,658 in funds had been misappropriated, including four checks for $300 each that were written for “cash” as well as several checks to the Berea Walmart and the Dinner Bell Restaurant.

The funds were largely collected through student fundraisers such as candy sales, Brewer said.

The pair could have each received up to five years in prison had the case gone to trial.

A sentencing hearing was set for Aug. 6 before Madison Circuit Judge William G. Clouse.

Board member: Training should be required

At Thursday evening’s county school board meeting, member John Lackey voted against a motion to approve school activity fund budgets.

Debbie Frazier, the district’s finance director, said school activity funds should not be mistaken for booster organization funds.

School activity funds are supervised by each school’s principal, while booster organizations that typically support athletic teams, cheerleading squads and bands maintain their own budgets.

State law requires only that organizations associated with school activities submit financial reports to school principals by July 25 each year.

Foley Middle School Principal Arno Norwell became suspicious last summer when he reviewed his school’s PTO finance report, School Superintendent Tommy Floyd said at the time.

Norwell requested the assistance of Frazier, who recommended the case be referred to law enforcement.

For years, Frazier has offered training to individuals responsible for booster organizational funds.

Interest in the training increased after the news of the Foley situation was reported, she said Friday.

While the school district recommends organization officers take the training, it is not required by either state or district policy, she said.

On Friday, Lackey said he would like to see the school board require organization officers who handle money undergo training.

“I’d also like to have a principal or other school official be required to scrutinize those annual reports,” he said. “The organizations are required only to submit them. At present, the principals are not required to go over them.

“In addition, I think there should be some basic requirement that conflicts of interest be avoided when organization funds are spent.”

Bill 5/15/09 New copy

Floyd said the district is always looking for ways to improve procedures and assist groups “that do so much for our students.”

The district communicates to booster organizations the best practices recommended that the Kentucky High School Athletic Association and Kentucky Department of Education recommend for money management and other issues, he said.

Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.

News writer Bill Robinson contributed to this story. He can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.

Text Only

Local News

Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.

About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.

February 6, 2012
Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.

Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.

February 6, 2012
Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)

A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.

February 6, 2012
Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.”

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org.

February 6, 2012 2 Photos
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus.

February 6, 2012
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200.

February 6, 2012
Tea party setting sights on state legislature
Nearly a dozen tea party candidates, including one of Kentucky's most recognizable fiscal conservatives, have set their sights on state legislative seats up for election this year.
Louisville businessman Phil Moffett, who finished second in the GOP's three-way gubernatorial primary last year, delivered candidacy papers last week to run for a House seat, hoping to bolster the tea party's foothold in the state Capitol.
Such a move has been slower in coming to Kentucky than other states.

February 6, 2012
Trial date set in murder case
The attorney for a Berea man accused of murder has had his client evaluated by an “expert” witness, he said Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
A report of the evaluation of Mitchell Ray Turner, 34, has been shared with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, attorney Brian Barker said during a pretrial conference in the case.
“The commonwealth would like more information before they decide if they want to do their own evaluation,” Barker told Judge Jean Chenault Logue.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
State financial actions putting strain on MEPCO
State government’s efforts to cut its spending and shift more of its financial burden to local governments, school boards and public agencies is beginning to take its toll on MEPCO, the home health organization run by the Madison County Board of Health.
Last week, MEPCO, which serves residents of Madison, Estill and Powell counties, reported a $455,500 deficit at the midpoint of its fiscal year.
The deficit was recorded even after MEPCO has cut expenses by about $383,000.

February 6, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Foley PTO officers plead guilty to theft

Have you ever attended a meeting of a local government agency or taxing district?

Site Map