LFHS Assistant Athletic Director Stole From School Fund: Police

LAKE FOREST, IL — The assistant athletic director of Lake Forest High School admitted he embezzled more than $2,000 from a school account and spent it on himself, police said.

Chris Morehead, 56, of the 900 block of Princeton Court, Vernon Hills, was arrested Feb. 8 and charged with theft of between $500 and $10,000, court records show.

Police began looking into the incident last month after LFHS officials noticed $2,280 was missing from a fund dedicated to intramural sports, according to Deputy Chief Rob Copeland.

Administrators contacted police and Det. Ben Grum, the high school's school resource officer, coordinated an investigation with the school's security director.

"It was money for the intramural program that he had in his possession, it was supposed to be given to the school for deposit into their accounts and he never turned it over," Copeland said.

Court records indicate the theft began Nov. 30 of last year. Copeland said there was no sign that Morehead had engaged in a longer term pattern of siphoning off school money.

Township High School District 115 Superintendent Mike Simeck refused to say if Morehead was still a district employee, when he was hired or what his job titles have been.

According to an online resume, Morehead has been the department chair for the wellness, health and driver's ed department and assistant athletic director at LFHS since 2011. Prior to that, it said he spent nearly 13 years as a P.E. teacher and athletic director at Lake Bluff School District 65. He declined to comment Wednesday.

Morehead is charged with a class 3 felony, which is punishable with sentences ranging from two years probation to five years in state prison.

After a bond hearing Friday, Morehead was released on a recognizance bond and is due back in court March 1 for a status of attorney hearing.