Former treasurer of the Warren High School band booster pleads guilty to theft
The former booster club treasurer for the Warren Township High School band was ordered to repay the nearly $27,000 money she admitted stealing from the group.
Maurine E. Moore, 59, of the 3400 block of Mary Avenue, Park City, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of theft Friday in front of Lake County Judge Mark Levitt.
As part of the negotiated plea agreement approved by Levitt in court, Moore was ordered to reimburse the booster program $16,975 immediately, then pay another $10,000 to the booster insurance company in the next 24 months.
In addition, she must serve 200 hours of community service, have no communication with Warren Township High School or the booster program, and serve 24 months on misdemeanor probation.
She also must write a letter of apology to the booster program for stealing the money, and she is not allowed to serve on any charity where the sole purpose is to collect money.
"We think it's a very fair disposition," said defense attorney Barry Boches, who added the booster club had been made whole through the reimbursement of money and that Moore had no previous criminal record. "This is what can happen when someone falls on hard times. They use things to pay their bills."
Moore did not apologize in court Friday when Levitt asked her if she had anything to say.
Gurnee police said a four-month investigation led to felony theft charges against Moore, who served as treasurer of the Warren Band Boosters Inc., the volunteer fundraising arm of the Warren Township High School band program.
Moore turned herself in to police Jan. 15, 2014, and was released after posting the required 10 percent of her $15,000 bail.
Band booster officials said a new treasurer noticed significant balance discrepancies between the organization's bank statements and reports presented by Moore at meetings.
An internal audit of the books was completed, authorities said, and revealed unauthorized withdrawals of $26,975. The investigation was launched when the audit was brought to the attention of Gurnee authorities.