A Florida high school athletic director was arrested this week after an investigation found he allegedly pocketed money intended to purchase insurance for student-athletes.
Alphonso Thomas, athletic director at Cutler Bay Senior High School, faces charges of grand theft related to incidents that took place during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years.
According to WPLG-TV, the Office of the Inspector General for Miami-Dade County Public Schools began an investigation into Thomas after receiving an anonymous complaint from a parent.
The investigation revealed that Thomas was depositing money that was intended to purchase school-approved health insurance for student-athletes into a personal account. According to a letter sent to the school superintendent by Inspector General Mary T. Cagle, 60 student-athletes were supposed to receive the insurance coverage, but Thomas only paid premiums for 38, leaving 22 student-athletes uninsured.
In addition, Thomas also took money from about 80 student-athletes for an unapproved athletic fee, ultimately depositing $3,240 into his own account.
Thomas admitted the crimes to Cagle, and turned himself into local police on Monday. He was later released on his own recognizance.
