Louisiana deputies arrest former cheer team sponsor, coach accused of theft
LIVINGSTON PARISH, La. (BRPROUD) — Deputies arrested two people accused of misappropriating money through the Live Oak Junior High School cheer program.
The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office said former cheer team sponsor Kristen Goodwin and former cheer coach Jessica Angelo were charged with felony theft and criminal conspiracy.
According to Sheriff Jason Ard, an investigation found that Goodwin and Angelo conspired to sell t-shirts bought with school funds. Both suspects are accused of not returning profits totaling $3,000 to the school’s cheer program.
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“Additionally, in the investigation, a single reimbursement invoice was identified as fraudulent which also resulted in funds being stolen from the Live Oak Junior High Cheer Fund,” Ard said.
The sheriff’s office said complaints were reported in 2023 and an audit report released this year showed a misappropriation of money.
A Friday, May 10 statement from Livingston Parish Public Schools said Goodwin, who has worked at the middle school since 2019, was placed on administrative leave. Officials said Angelo is not an employee of the school system.
Read the school system’s full statement below.
The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office announced this afternoon the arrest and booking of Live Oak Junior High teacher and former cheerleading sponsor Kristen Goodwin and former Live Oak Junior High contract cheerleading coach Jessica Angelo as a result of an investigation into allegations of misappropriation of funds.
The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office made the arrest of Goodwin and Angelo for violation of Felony Theft and Criminal Conspiracy, according to the arrest reports.
At this time, Livingston Parish Public Schools has placed Goodwin on administrative leave pending an investigation. The district will follow all applicable policies and procedures. Goodwin has worked for Live Oak Junior High since 2019. Angelo is not an employee of Livingston Parish Public Schools.
The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office will manage the investigation. All questions concerning the matter should be directed to the LPSO.
The newly appointed LPPS superintendent is working with the district’s business department to review financial procedures among all programs to improve safeguards for employees who manage public funds.
Livingston Parish Public Schools
An investigation is ongoing.
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