Lincoln-Way Booster Club Financial Info Turned Over To Sheriff

NEW LENOX, IL — Lincoln-Way District 210 revealed that an initial internal review of athletic department revenue accounts did not reveal any fraud, but Athletic Booster activity fund discrepancies have now sparked an investigation by the Will County Sheriff's Office. Lincoln-Way District 210 has issued an additional statement after a Lincoln-Way Central employee resigned due to financial discrepancies in the books of the Athletic Boosters. The district said the Lincoln-Way Central Athletic Boosters Club contacted bookkeeping on Aug. 5 to inquire about their current account balance.

"The balance recorded in the district's Student Activity Fund did not match the Booster Club records," the district said in its statement. On Aug. 6, the Booster Club provided the administration with records dating back several years, and the administration identified discrepancies involving Booster Club deposits over the past three years.

Will County Sheriff's Office detectives were then called to the administration office Aug. 6 and spoke to administrators about the alleged financial transgressions.

"Allegations were made regarding the Athletic Director's secretary, who has since resigned her position at the school," the sheriff's office said.

The district said all records were turned over to Will County detectives on Aug. 6.

According to a statement from the district, while developing the annual budget, Lincoln-Way 210 administration identified inconsistencies in certain revenue accounts in the Lincoln-Way Athletic Department. The district's independent inspector general investigated the handling of sporting event gate receipts.

However, the district said, "It was determined that while cash handling procedures needed to be improved, there did not appear to be any fraud related to the original concern."

It appears the discrepancies on the books of the Boosters was a separate issue than what the district was investigating. When Patch asked for clarification on the district's statement, they resent two paragraphs of the statement.

Since the initial investigation, the independent inspector has provided recommendations to enhance cash management controls. The district said the business office is implementing these recommendations.