Sharper CPA, PLLC. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine closed airspace to civilian flights due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. His wife, Deana Sharper, 47, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and two years of supervised release and ordered to pay more than $239,000. Anthony Sharper, a certified public accountant, is also accused of creating fake financial documents and submitting them to the Booster Club board members, claiming the account had more than $150,000 in it when it actually had $522. In recent years, dozens of cases annually have been reported of embezzlement by booster club officials, usually volunteers such as parents or community members who were perceived to be trustworthy and reliable before committing their betrayals of the young people they were pledged to serve. The indictment says the charges were tracked to Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Virginia and London, England. } The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Booster officials say the organization was contacted by law enforcement, and they have been cooperating during the investigation. UNION COUNTY, N.C. A former high school booster club treasurer was arrested Wednesday on an embezzlement charge, the Union County Sheriff's . The latest: Student assignment, North Carolina obscenity bill gets OK in Senate vote, Gordon Lightfoot, Canadian folk legend, dies at 84, Basketball legend Larry 'Gator' Rivers, longtime Globetrotter, has died at 73. Division of labor is one of the most effective strategies for eliminating the opportunity to steal. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Also read: Couple convicted after stealing $239,000 from South Meck High's booster club. She has led newsrooms at KUNC in Greely, CO, Rhode Island Public Radio in Providence, RI and WHQR in Wilmington, NC. North Carolina couple was sentenced to prison this week for embezzling $239,000 from a Charlotte high school's booster club. Sunny but still cool temperatures on tap as we enter May, 'The smell is absolutely horrendous': Small towns want company to clean up roadway animal waste spills, GOP lawmakers want to pay for students' private education. For assistance in developing and implementing proper procedures and monitoring compliance with federal, state and local laws, consider using the services of a booster club support organization such as the National Booster Club Training Council (http://boosterclubs.org/) or Parent Booster USA (http://parentbooster.org/). South Meck High School Booster Club. As a new school year begins and activities of all types launch new seasons, including sports, band, theatre, choir, debate, forensics, academic clubs and other student organizations, booster clubs established to financially support such endeavors will also launch new seasons of fundraising campaigns. Anthony Sharper is also charged with tax fraud for failing to report any of the embezzled funds on the couple's joint tax returns in 2018 and 2019. The husband was also sentenced after he tried to cover up the theft with fraudulently obtaining $236,000 in COVID-19 relief money, according to Dena J. [8] The runway was destroyed according to official statement of the head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Administration. A married couple was sent to prison on Monday for stealing over $200,000 in funds from the South Mecklenburg High School Athletic Booster Club in Charlotte. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. He was also ordered to pay a money judgement of $310,832.80. According to the indictment, all three applications contained false information, including fake revenues and fake payroll and employment data. In fact, according to the indictment, the actual amount was $522.07. The funds were intended for existing businesses harmed by the coronavirus pandemic. Anthony Sharper and Deana Sharper are being sentenced to prison for stealing over $230k in funds from South Mecklenburg High School's Athletic Booster. Never allow one person to have end-to-end control over cash. Anthony, who is a certified public accountant, is also accused of falsely applying for paycheck protection funds. Prosecutors say Anthony and Deana Sharper slowly took charge of the clubs finances and leeched its accounts for years. Opportunity: Persons who embezzle funds tend to be those in positions of opportunity to abuse a position of trust and who believe they have a low risk of getting caught because of weak internal controls, lack of policy enforcement, and their end-to-end authority over cash control and bank accounts. 2023 Cox Media Group. 2023 Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. 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He spent two summers as Bikin Mike, filing stories as he pedaled across the Carolinas. It is located 15 kilometres (9mi; 8nmi) southeast from the city center. The husband's sentence included him obtaining over $236,000 in COVID-19 relief funds to cover the theft. Pionerskiy 12 49127 Dnipropetrovs'k Country Ukraine Phone +380 (562) 342 989 Fax +380 (562) 342 990 E-mail [email protected] Daughter of Buccaneers LB Shaq Barrett Drowns In Family Pool, It's Tea Time At French Market Cafe & Gourmet Shop, Don't Waste Your Money: Bed, Bath and Beyond, Cleveland County Man Cried Happy Tears After Winning $3M, Mom Blogger Calls Out Ridiculous Prom Culture, Teens Charged With First Degree Murder In Rock Throwing Death, Nominate Your Favorite Educator For Teacher Of The Month, EEO Reports and Outreach Initiatives Reports. Email: [email protected] | Twitter: @southmeckSB | Address: 8900 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210 SOUTH MECK SPORTS BOOSTERS ALL-SPORTS PASSES ARE BACK! The former president of the Edmond (Oklahoma) Santa Fe High School cheer booster club was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with all but 90 days being suspended, for her embezzlement of $14,000 from the clubs bank accounts. This has resulted in a number of management problems and has slowed the airfield's development as Dniproavia has, on a number of occasions, refused to be forthcoming with the required funds to undertake a comprehensive modernization program. Ensure that appropriate accounting and record-keeping procedures are in place and being adhered to and that all computer files containing the clubs corporate book and financial records are backed up so that they do not exist merely on one club officials computer. The government will pursue a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of at least $436,000, which the government contends constitutes the proceeds of the violations alleged in the charging document. Christopher Young, a Washington attorney representing Anthony Sharper, confirmed some of the details of his clients new plea agreement with prosecutors but otherwise did not comment. [4] On 10 April 2022 a Russian attack completely destroyed the airport and the infrastructure nearby. 60 Couple Sentenced After Stealing $239K from South Meck High's Booster Club October 25, 2022 WCCB Staff CHARLOTTE, N.C. (From Press Release) The former president of a Charlotte high school Booster Club and his wife were sentenced to prison Monday for stealing more than $239,000 from the organization. One of those was one in the name of the booster club and one was in the name of his accounting firm, A. [9] A repeat attack on 10 April 2022 completely destroyed the airport and the infrastructure nearby. field59.ipo = { WSOC-TV got this statement from the booster club: Following the resignation of both Anthony and Deana Sharper from the Boosters Board last year, irregular transactions were identified and brought to the attention of our bank representative. According to filed court documents, between 2017 and June 2020, Anthony Sharper and Deana Sharper executed a scheme to defraud and embezzle at least $239,000 from South Meck high school Athletic Booster Club by writing checks to themselves for purported reimbursement, wiring funds directly to their personal bank account, and using the Booster Clubs debit cards and credit card to pay for personal expenditures. In Oklahoma, a number of other people have been accused and convicted of embezzling from booster clubs. The indictment also alleges the couple used Booster Club debit cards to make purchases in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Virginia, and London, England. Yet often, the stolen monies cannot be replaced, resulting in students being deprived of benefits such as the opportunity to travel to compete or perform; to be provided with equipment, instruments or other resources beyond those which the school can afford; to secure financial assistance to mitigate pay-to-participate fees; to receive booster club-provided college scholarships; or to obtain any of the extensive variety of other badly needed forms of support that would have been made possible by the club funds that were stolen. Multiple news outlets report the club was at South Mecklenburg High. According to court filings, Deana Sharper is pleading straight up to the wire fraud charge, meaning she has not received any inducements from prosecutors in return for her guilty plea. 6 British Castles Where You Can Stay Like Royalty on a Commoners Budget, Five On Your Side: Ways to get better wifi for under $250, Farmers markets in North Carolina: Fresh produce, baked goods and more, UNC allergy expert gives tips to help you deal with the pollen season, The 25 most memorable moments in Carolina Hurricanes history, Pick-your-own: Where to find strawberry farms in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Eric Marion: We want to change the perception when facing Pinecrest, Highlights: Union Pines baseball stuns Pinecrest with come from behind victory, Nick Stevens discusses impact of new participation data & what's next, Tommy Harrington: We feel like we've got three No. A Charlotte couple is accused of stealing $200,000 from a high school booster club and using COVID-19-relief business loans to cover their crime, federal authorities said. [7], On 24 February 2022, Ukraine closed airspace to civilian flights due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Lee Green is an attorney and a professor at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas, where he teaches courses in sports law, business law and constitutional law. The indictment further alleges that Anthony Sharper, who is a certified public accountant, also committed tax fraud by failing to report any of the embezzled funds on the couples joint 2018 and 2019 tax returns filed with the IRS, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina said in a news release. Anthony Sharper, 42, served as the interim president and treasurer for South Mecklenburg High Schools Athletic Booster Club and his wife, Deana Sharper, 47, ran the concession stand and school store. For instance, oftentimes, a sole booster club official is entrusted with the organizations entire financial process, including the deposit of cash into bank accounts, the issuance of checks to vendors and the reconciliation of all transactions in the clubs books. In May, Parker was given to a 5 . A married couple was sent to prison on Monday for stealing over $200,000 in funds from the South Mecklenburg High School Athletic Booster Club in Charlotte. at ACC Tournament, NCHSAA board will consider policy allowing high school athletes to profit off NIL, Person dies after being trapped by tractor Monday night, Southern Lee baseball edges Lee County for Brick City season sweep, Highlights: Woods Charter's Noronha and Cherry light up Triangle Math & Science, Celebrate National BBQ Month in North Carolina by eating something delicious, 50+ Triangle events to check out this May. In 2020, Anthony Sharper filed for federal pandemic-related economic relief for both the booster club and his own accounting firm. According to the indictment, the couple embezzled from the booster club between 2017 and June 2020. Panthers reach consensus on No. The husband's sentence included him obtaining over $236,000 in COVID-19 relief funds to cover the theft. Wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, a punishment far greater than what she is likely to receive. Sharper is accused of submitting two Paycheck Protection Program loans one in the booster clubs name and another in the name of his accounting firm, A. His wife, Deana Sharper, 47, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and two years of supervised release and ordered to pay more than $239,000. Court documents also show that Anthony Sharper, a certified public accountant, also committed tax fraud by failing to report any embezzled funds on the couple's joint 2018 and 2019 tax returns. Drug dog leads police to major bust and arrest of Charlotte man, Driver dies while being dragged hundreds of feet under truck trailer, SC coroner says, Rock Hill woman sentenced in I-77 DUI crash that killed 4, including her daughter. Solo Nebraska Cheerleader Steals the Show at Cheer and Dance Champion. Developed by sociologist Donald R. Cressey and now used by criminologists and forensic accountants for understanding the typical circumstances that lead to trusted individuals committing crimes of betrayal, the fraud triangle is comprised of three components: 1) opportunity, 2) financial pressure and 3) rationalization. The former president of the South Mecklenburg High School booster club and his wife were sentenced to prison after investigators said they stole more than $230,000 from the booster. Financial Pressure:When combined with opportunity, some type of financial burden real or perceived is a common incentive for committing fraud. This has had a detrimental impact on our student-athletes. Michael Gordon has been the Observers legal affairs writer since 2013. 90.3 Hickory 106.1 Laurinburg. The couple has been charged with wire fraud, which has a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The indictment further alleges that Anthony Sharper, who is a certified public accountant, also committed tax fraud by failing to report any of the embezzled funds on the couples joint 2018 and 2019 tax returns filed with the IRS. Anthony Sharper previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud, making a false statement to a financial institution, engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property, and tax fraud. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. [11], Media related to Dnipropetrovsk International Airport at Wikimedia Commons. Prosecutors also say he applied to the Small Business Administration for an economic injury disaster loan. He used $40,000 of the federal loan money on South Mecklenburg High's playing fields, painting the offices of the school's coaches and purchasing sports equipment . Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. He is a member of the High School Today Publications Committee. The indictment alleges the couple spent tens of thousands of dollars on car payments, Hornets tickets, fine dining, travel, personal shopping in big-box retailers and clothing stores, and made $20,000 in cash and ATM withdrawals. Christopher Young represents the Sharpers. Anthony Sharpers plea agreement, which surfaced in federal court on Wednesday, offers few additional details. Posted: Nov 19, 2020 / 06:33 AM EST. 57 likes. In recent years, dozens of cases annually have been reported of embezzlement by booster club officials, usually volunteers such as parents or community members who were perceived to be trustworthy and reliable before committing their betrayals of the young people they were pledged to serve. [5], The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter services to and from Dnipro International Airport:[10], As of 24 February 2022, all passenger flights have been suspended indefinitely. Speech, Debate & Theatre Directors & Judges, Changes in High School Wrestling Rules Include Allowance of Six Matches in One Day of Competition, Ephesus Sports Lighting Renews Corporate Partnership with NFHS, NFHS Learning Center Adding Middle School Coaching Course, Credential Program, World Drumming Can Fit into Any School Music Program, Recommending Summer Speech and Debate Camp for Students. The criminal indictment also contains a notice of forfeiture, which gives notice that the defendants must forfeit to the United States all of the property, currency and monetary instruments involved in the offenses charged in the indictment. A former treasurer of the Sammamish (Washington) Skyline High School booster club returned $31,000 of what an initial forensic audit indicates was more than $100,000 stolen from the organization that supports 80 sports and extracurricular activities at the school, with the investigation ongoing by local prosecutors into the full extent of the crime. After receiving the loan proceeds, Anthony Sharper, 42, used the funds to pay for personal expenditures and to cover up the couple's theft from the Mecklenburg High School Athletic booster club, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The funds were intended for existing businesses harmed by the coronavirus pandemic. Seek the volunteer services of an independent accountant who will donate time as a friend of the organization to conduct periodic audits of the booster clubs books and ensure that proper accounting procedures are adhered to by the clubs treasurer and other officials. A married couple was sent to prison on Monday for stealing over $200,000 in funds from the South Mecklenburg High School Athletic Booster Club in Charlotte. Feb 28, 2008. Booster club boards should, as one of their key functions, create annual budgets and as a group reconcile those budgets on a quarterly or annual basis to closely monitor the in-flow and out-flow of club funds. He has been an editor and reporter at the paper since 1992, occasionally writing about schools, religion, politics and sports. Ive met with both of the Sharpers and theyre very nice people, said Christopher Young, the attorney for Anthony Sharper whose offices are based in Washington, D.C. Lets let the legal process run its course. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. [5][6], The airport is at an elevation of 481 feet (147m) above mean sea level. For this reason, South Meck Sports Boosters is grateful for the thorough investigation completed by law enforcement., (WATCH: Florida man got $1.9M in PPP money, used it to buy new Mercedes, prosecutors say), Florida man got $1.9M in PPP money, used it to buy new Mercedes, prosecutors say (NCD). Much of the rest, he used for unlawful business or personal expenses, prosecutors say, including almost $20,000 to buy a 2019 Honda Civic. The couple face decades behind bars, and more than $1 million in fines. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story. Click here to sign up for the daily Wake Up Charlotte newsletter. Lets not totally place blame on people until we know whats going on. A former treasurer of the Wheatland (California) High School booster club turned herself in after being accused of stealing more than $15,000 from the organization and in the process emptying the account that was to be used to grant multiple college scholarships to students. Ukraine closes airspace to civilian flights amid Russian military action. Anthony Sharper and his wife, Deana Sharper, are accused of scheming to defraud and embezzle at least $200,000 from the South Mecklenburg High Schol athletic booster club by writing checks to themselves for purported reimbursement, as well as wiring funds directly to their personal bank account and using the club's debit cards and credit card to pay for personal expenses. The former president of the Sand Creek (Michigan) High School music program booster club entered a plea deal in exchange for reduced charges related to his theft of $13,000 from the club and was sentenced to 30 days in jail instead of the five-year prison term he might have received. However, the construction was soon frozen and, as of 2017, building work has not progressed beyond the laying of foundations. Anthony Sharper was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release. In September 2020 the completion of a new runway and terminal was foreseen for late 2022 or early 2023. The South Meck. The documents state that between March and May 2020, he submitted three fraudulent applications for federal COVID-19 relief funds, including two fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications. They are very nice people and as the legal process runs its course, everybody will find out more.. Updated May 20, 2021 12:14 PM A former booster club president and his wife, who served as the concession stand and school store coordinator, at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte,. It had one runway designated 08/26 with a concrete surface measuring 2,841 by 44 metres (9,321ft 144ft). Between 2017 and June 2020, Anthony Sharper and Deana Sharper planned a scheme to defraud and embezzle at least $239,000 from the high school's booster club by writing checks to themselves, wiring funds directly to their bank account and using the booster club's debit cards and credit cards to pay for personal expenditures. Updated: Nov 19, 2020 / 06:33 AM EST. Both defendants were released on bond and will be ordered to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons to begin serving their sentence upon designation of a federal facility. A former treasurer of the Kimberly (Wisconsin) High School athletics booster club pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $60,000 and was sentenced to 60 days in jail followed by two years of probation. Between 2017 and June 2020, Anthony Sharper and Deana Sharper planned a scheme to defraud and embezzle at least $239,000 from the high school's booster club by writing checks to themselves, wiring funds directly to their bank account and using the booster club's debit cards and credit cards to pay for personal expenditures. A husband and wife who are accused of embezzling at least $200,000 from the South Mecklenburg High School booster club are expected to plead guilty in federal court in the coming days. CHARLOTTE A Charlotte couple was sentenced Monday after they stole $239,000 from a high schools booster club. Many of the high-dollar cases of embezzlement involving booster clubs are perpetrated by someone who has uninterrupted control over club finances for a multi-year period of time, thereby facilitating an ongoing theft because of the absence of checks and balances on that persons autonomy. N.B. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A husband and wife pair was sentenced to prison Monday for stealing more than $239,000 from a Charlotte high school booster club, according to U.S. Distric After receiving the loan proceeds, Anthony Sharper, 42, used the funds to pay for personal expenditures and to cover up the couple's theft from the Mecklenburg High School Athletic booster club, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. [citation needed], In 2011, the airport's owners initiated a program to develop a new terminal complex. Deana Sharper pleaded guilty to wire fraud. From October 2019 and May 2020, the indictment says they are accused of using the Booster credit card on car payments ($3,800), Charlotte Hornets tickets ($5,000), a trip to Florida, clothing and meals, including an $839.50 bill at Ruths Chris Steak House. Dnipro International Airport (Ukrainian: ) (IATA: DNK, ICAO: UKDD) was an airport serving Dnipro, a city in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine. Rotation of duties is another of the most effective strategies for eliminating the opportunity to embezzle. They are very nice people, Young said. December 09, 2021 at 4:49 am EST. $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate is a commonly recommended standard for booster clubs. Detectives said all three applications contained false information, including fake revenues and false payroll and employment data. Statement from Co-President of South Meck Sports Boosters after the indictment: Following the resignation of both Anthony and Deana Sharper from the Boosters Board last year, irregular transactions were identified and brought to the attention of our bank representative. They also used clubs credit and debit cards to run up thousands of dollars in personal expenses in six states as well as during a trip to London, the indictment shows. Both Anthony Sharper and his wife, Deana Sharper, are charged with wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. In addition to this, foreign airlines have found it difficult to gain access to Dnipro as a result of Dniproavia's protectionist policies along routes to and from the airport. According to the indictment, all three applications contained false information, including fake revenues and fake payroll and employment data.