Gambrills Diving Coach Who Swindled Money From Club Sentenced

GAMBRILLS, MD — A former dive instructor for the Waugh Chapel Swim Club has pleaded guilty to one count of a felony theft scheme after making unauthorized purchases with the club's credit card. Kimberly R. Champagne, 48, of Gambrills was sentenced to five years in jail with all but 90 days suspended. She also must pay restitution of $11,880 to the club for unauthorized purchases.

"Ms. Champagne abused her privilege and position as an employee and board member by stealing money from the Waugh Chapel Swim Club in order to finance her lifestyle," said State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess. "With this plea, Ms. Champagne will be held accountable for her criminal actions and be required to restore the swim club's stolen funds."

In March 2018, the Anne Arundel County Police Department were contacted after the club's new treasurer had uncovered evidence that Champagne had been using the club's credit card to make personal purchases. As the dive team representative and member of the board of directors at the time, Champagne was never given permission to use the credit card for her own use.

A joint investigation conducted by the Anne Arundel County Police Department and the Office of the State's Attorney for Anne Arundel County uncovered that between June 2016 and December 2017, Champagne purchased more than 480 items from Amazon. The items purchased included clothing, makeup, hair products, Christmas decorations, children's toys and clothing, pet beds and food, computer tablets, jewelry, baby items, groceries, a vacuum, outdoor landscape lighting, small furniture and sports equipment.