Ex-treasurer of MS Coast school cheer club arrested for felony embezzlement. What we know
The former treasurer of the Ocean Springs Middle School cheer booster club is out of jail on bond on a felony embezzlement charge, Ocean Springs Police Chief Ryan Lemaire said.
Kasi McDaniel, 48, is accused of embezzling at least $24,000 from the club over about one year ending in November. McDaniel surrendered to police Monday and was released on a $5,000 bond.
Lemaire said the investigation started after the booster club’s president reported the missing money. When police learned of the alleged theft, the account had a balance of $70.
“They were supposed to go to a (regional cheer) competition, but they didn’t have enough money to go,” Lemaire said, and that’s when the theft was discovered.
In addition, the bank alerted the Ocean Springs School District to suspicious activity on the account and turned the information over to the president of the booster club.
After reviewing the club’s financial records and tracking withdrawals on the booster club account, Lemaire said, investigators determined that McDaniel primarily withdrew the money she allegedly stole from ATMs at various Mississippi Coast casinos.
After her arrest, police said, McDaniel declined to talk to police investigators.
“It is disappointing that one our adults (allegedly) misappropriated funds that were raised for students to be spent on students,” Ocean Springs School District spokesman Trey Brennan said. “We are thankful for the banking institution that noticed suspicious activity and called the School District.
The cheer club is made up of volunteers to help raise money for the students to attend various events over the year, including regional and out-of-state cheer competitions.
A felony embezzlement charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine or both.
To report information, call the Ocean Springs Police Department at 228-875-2211.
