The Milford (Ohio) Exempted Village School Board placed the district's athletic director on unpaid administrative leave Thursday amid recent allegations that he misappropriated more than $91,000 in sponsorship funds and failed to provide receipts for transactions from those funds.
As reported by NBC affiliate WLWT in Cincinnati, Aaron Zupka was already on paid administrative leave before Thursday’s meeting but a unanimous vote by the board placed him on unpaid leave. The district also voted in favor of a resolution that supports the firing of Zupka, with more steps in that process still unfolding.
Zupka is accused of using the booster credit card on one occasion for a non-athletic purpose — paying for parking while on vacation.
The resolution for Thursday’s board meeting also claimed Zupka failed to report potential child abuse or neglect.
Related: Investigators: Cincinnati-Area High School AD Failed to Report Sexual Misconduct
Zupka will have the opportunity to defend himself against the allegations at a future hearing, reported WLWT's Sean MacKinnon, adding that it's not known when that will be.
"The adoption of the termination resolution initiates a formal process under Ohio law in which Mr. Zupka has the option to request a hearing before an independent state referee. If a hearing is requested, both the Milford Board of Education and Mr. Zupka will have the opportunity to present evidence, after which the referee will issue a decision," a statement from the school board said.
In a statement issued Thursday, Zupka's attorney, Mark Byrne, said the allegations against the athletic director aren't true and that Zupka plans to exercise legal options available to him.
"Aaron appreciates and is thankful for the public support he has received from the students and parents at Milford. Over the period of time he served the District his decisions were always made in the best interests of the District, its students and parents. It is disappointing that the opportunity to continue to serve in the capacity as its AD has ended. Regardless, it is Aaron’s fervent wish that the Milford students and parents continue to experience success in all of their future endeavors," the statement said in part, as reported by WLWT.
