The funds were intended for existing businesses damaged by the coronavirus pandemic. In a response to the allegations, the South Meck Sports Boosters release this statement to WCNC Charlotte: Following the resignation of both Anthony and Deana Sharper from the Booster's Board last year, irregular transactions were identified and brought to the attention of our bank representative. According to court records, to cover up the theft and to enrich himself, between March and May 2020, Anthony Sharper submitted three fraudulent applications for federal COVID-19 relief funds, including two fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications, one in the name of the Booster Club and one in the name of his accounting firm, A. Stroud? 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. Tuesday morning, shes scheduled to plead to one count of wire fraud scheme to defraud the booster club the lone charge on her indictment. Federal authorities said Anthony Sharper was sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. 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. In May, Parker was given to a 5 . 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. 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. A Charlotte couple has been indicted on federal charges of embezzling more than $200,000 from the booster club of a Charlotte high school. 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. 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. He and his wife Deana have been also been charged with fraudulently obtaining $236,000 to cover up their theft. Anthony Sharper was also charged with two counts of making false statements to a financial institution, which carry a maximum sentence of 30 years and a $1 million fine per count. Also read: Couple convicted after stealing $239,000 from South Meck High's booster club. Anthony Sharper was originally indicted on eight counts and pleaded not guilty in June. by: Sophia Radebaugh. Visit ESPN to view the latest Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk news, scores, stats, standings, rumors, and more Where can I find the best prices on grocery staples this week? 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. All rights reserved. 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. 2023 Cox Media Group. One of those was one in the name of the booster club and one was in the name of his accounting firm, A. According to the indictment, the couple embezzled from the booster club between 2017 and June 2020. She pleaded guilty to wire fraud. He is also charged with fraudulently obtaining over $236,000 in COVID-19 relief funds to cover up the theft. 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/). 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. In Oklahoma, a number of other people have been accused and convicted of embezzling from booster clubs. Cornelius police officer arrested on a fugitive warrant has resigned. Lets not totally place blame on people until we know whats going on. 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. Ukraine closes airspace to civilian flights amid Russian military action. The ultimate decision falls to U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn, who will sentence the couple at a later date. Panthers reach consensus on No. The indictment says the charges were tracked to Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Virginia and London, England. The husband's sentence included. Anthony, who is a certified public accountant, is also accused of falsely applying for paycheck protection funds. [5][6], The airport is at an elevation of 481 feet (147m) above mean sea level. RELATED: He lost $7,000 in a phone scam, and it could have been stopped before it went too far. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Deana Sharper pleaded guilty to wire fraud. 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. 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. According to investigators, he tried to cover up the theft by using COVID-19 relief loans that he fraudulently obtained. 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. He didnt comment on the case after the couple was charged but urged everyone to keep an open mind. After receiving the funds, Sharper is accused of using the money to pay for personal expenses and cover up the couple's theft from the booster club. The club, she said, cooperated fully with the resulting investigation, which included the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. postal authorities. The funds were intended for existing businesses harmed by the coronavirus pandemic. In some cases, according to the indictment, their raids on the booster money grew increasingly lavish $5,000 for Hornets tickets; almost $850 on meals at Ruths Chris; more than $20,000 in cash and ATM withdrawals. As those philanthropic efforts begin, school administrators and booster club officials need to develop and implement proactive strategies to prevent what has become a problem of increasing dimension nationwide: the misappropriation of club funds by the very individuals entrusted with the moral and fiduciary duties of ensuring that all monies raised are used exclusively to support the education-oriented mission of those organizations. Anthony Sharper has also been charged with fraudulently obtaining more than $236,000 in COVID-19 relief loans. 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. Sharper CPA PLLC. 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. Catherine Welch is Assistant News Director at WFAE. 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. March gardening guide: What plants and vegetables can you plant this month? A former treasurer of the Fullerton (California) Rangers Soccer League, a youth sports nonprofit, was arrested for allegedly embezzling what a forensic audit revealed to be more than $174,000 and was charged with grand theft, money laundering, forgery of official records and income tax evasion. All rights reserved. The couple has been charged with wire fraud, which has a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Anthony Sharper, a certified public accountant, attempted to hide the thefts with $236,000 in COVID-19 relief loans, which he received for the club and his accounting firm using fraudulent applications, prosecutors claim. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story. 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. 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. UNION COUNTY, N.C. A former high school booster club treasurer was arrested Wednesday on an embezzlement charge, the Union County Sheriff's . Copyright 2022 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. How we got here, what's new and why they face resistance, Islanders extend series with Game 5 win over Canes, Young? He spent another $25,000 to pay down the outstanding balance on the booster club credit card. Detectives said Sharper submitted these applications to cover up the theft and for personal gain. He is a member of the High School Today Publications Committee. 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. The Sharpers were indicted in May. 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. Florida man got $1.9M in PPP money, used it to buy new Mercedes, prosecutors say, WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), ALSO READ: Popular east Charlotte restaurant owner, son charged with COVID relief fraud, ALSO READ: NC man charged with fraud in Game of Thrones themed virus aid scheme, ALSO READ: Charlotte woman went shopping with $150K virus relief loan, prosecutors say, Charlotte bride killed, husband seriously hurt in wedding night crash, Bikinis, booze & bikes: Myrtle Beach rules to know ahead of summer, Helpless: Video shows shooting from car toward crowded park in Villa Heights, Another homebuyer says Keyo Tiny House didnt do the work, Fisherman pulls massive catfish out of Lake Norman, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. field59.ipo = { His plea hearing had not been scheduled as of Thursday. Anthony Sharpers crimes combined carry up to 60 years in prison and $2 million in fines again, far more than what Cogburn is expected to hand down. Example video title will go here for this video. Require two signatures on every check cut to pay a vendor, two endorsements for every withdrawal from or change to a clubs bank account and a For Deposit Only stamp to be placed on every received check by someone different than the person who will process the check. The indictment shows that after receiving the loan proceeds, Anthony Sharper used the funds to pay for personal expenditures and to cover up the couples theft of the Booster Clubs funds. As alleged the indictment, to cover up the theft and to enrich himself, between March and May 2020, Anthony Sharper submitted three fraudulent applications for federal COVID-19 relief funds, including two fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications, one in the name of the Booster Club and one in the name of his accounting firm, A. Published: Dec. 8, 2021 at 4:06 PM PST. He was also ordered to pay out more than$310,000. CHARLOTTE A Charlotte couple was sentenced Monday after they stole $239,000 from a high school's booster club. For this reason, South Meck Sports Boosters is grateful for the thorough investigation completed by law enforcement. Relevance is automatically assessed so some headlines not qualifying as Dnipro news might appear - please feel free to contact us regarding any . Rationalization:Fraudsters typically rationalize to justify their dishonest actions as somehow not being in violation of normative codes of ethical conduct, often by adopting a mindset that they are only borrowing the money, that they will soon repay any diverted funds, that they are taking such a small amount that no one will be harmed, that they have to steal because of financial pressures beyond their control, that their thievery will only be temporary and will end as soon as their financial pressures subside, that they are being dishonest only because they desire to better support their families, or that they are entitled to the money because of their hard work for the organization. But under his agreement with prosecutors, he is expected to plead guilty to four charges: the wire fraud scheme; making false statements to a financial institution; engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property, and filing a false tax return. 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. 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. Graphs are temporarily unavailable due to technical issues. Almost every incident of embezzlement leads to both the criminal prosecution of the perpetrator and a civil lawsuit to recover the misappropriated funds. "global": { All rights reserved. [9] A repeat attack on 10 April 2022 completely destroyed the airport and the infrastructure nearby. Deana Sharper was ordered to serve 21 months in prison with two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $239,742. 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. According to allegations contained in the eight-count indictment, between 2017 and June 2020, Anthony Sharper, 39, and Deana Sharper, 45, both of Charlotte, executed a scheme to defraud and embezzle at least $200,000 from a Charlotte-area 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. 57 likes. Copyright 2021 WBTV. He was also ordered to pay out more than$310,000. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. North Carolina couple was sentenced to prison this week for embezzling $239,000 from a Charlotte high school's booster club. 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. Anthony Sharper and Deana Sharper are facing multiple charges for allegedly stealing more than $200,000 from the South Mecklenburg booster club. INGRAHAM: THE SHOCKING ABUSE OF COVID AIDS. 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. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine closed airspace to civilian flights due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Husband, wife indicted for stealing $200K from Charlotte high school athletics booster, Coroner IDs victim in deadly crash with golf cart, Woman facing DUI charges, Charlotte auto shop owner sentenced to prison for falsifying emisson inspections, Rowan man charged with kidnapping ex-girlfriend, demanding ransom, Lives are in danger as N.C. nursing home inspections lag, North Carolina obscenity bill gets OK in Senate vote, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video, INDICTMENT against Anthony and Deana Sharper. The indictment says Sharper obtained more than $236,000 in relief funds intended for businesses harmed by the pandemic. For this reason, South Meck Sports Boosters is grateful for the thorough investigation completed by law enforcement., 90.7 Charlotte 93.7 Southern Pines He spent two summers as Bikin Mike, filing stories as he pedaled across the Carolinas. As a result of the fraudulent applications, Anthony Sharper obtained more than $236,000 in COVID-19 relief funds intended for existing businesses harmed by the coronavirus pandemic. 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. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), ALSO READ: Couple accused of stealing $200K from South Meck HS booster club, Charlotte bride killed, husband seriously hurt in wedding night crash, Bikinis, booze & bikes: Myrtle Beach rules to know ahead of summer, Helpless: Video shows shooting from car toward crowded park in Villa Heights, Another homebuyer says Keyo Tiny House didnt do the work, Fisherman pulls massive catfish out of Lake Norman, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. Email: info@smsportsboosters.com | Twitter: @southmeckSB | Address: 8900 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210 SOUTH MECK SPORTS BOOSTERS ALL-SPORTS PASSES ARE BACK! According to court documents, the couple pursued a plan to embezzle at least $239,000 from . He 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. South Meck Sports Boosters is the non-profit, parent volunteer organization that supports South Mecklenburg High School athletes, coaches and administrators.Join now to support Sabres sports! Dnipro International Airport (Ukrainian: ) (IATA: DNK, ICAO: UKDD) was an airport serving Dnipro, a city in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine. He was also ordered to pay $310,832. 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 Sharper CPA, PLLC, and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) application to the Small Business Administration (SBA) on behalf of his CPA firm. 2023 Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. NCHSAA board will consider policy allowing high school athletes to profit off NIL, Basketball final four, bat testing, & participation: Here's what the NCHSAA board will discuss this week, Person dies after being trapped by tractor Monday night, Protesters rejecting, supporting Johnston Co. commissioner gather at Monday meeting, Slugging UNC signee Luke Stevenson leads Wake Forest on state championship push, NC Senate Committee debates bill on trans athletes in sports. NewsNow aims to be the world's most accurate and comprehensive Dnipro news aggregator, bringing you the latest headlines automatically and continuously 24/7. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Is the non-profit, parent volunteer organization that supports South Mecklenburg High School athlete 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. . [4] On 10 April 2022 a Russian attack completely destroyed the airport and the infrastructure nearby. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine closed airspace to civilian flights due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 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. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, his three applications relied on fake revenue, payroll and employment numbers, leading to Sharper receiving almost a quarter of million dollars in aid from Bank of America and Wells Fargo. We only have half the story right now., Click here to sign up for the daily Wake Up Charlotte newsletter. A solid set of booster-club guidelines can guard against embezzlement. "Russian military again strikes Dnipro airport", "Ukraine Claims Russia Has "Completely Destroyed" Dnipro Airport: Dnipro has been targeted by Russian forces since the Russian invasion but has so far been spared major destruction", The new runway at Dnipro Airport in 2021 will require 1.6 billion, " ", " ", "Ukraine airspace closed to civilian flights", "Dnipro International Airport, Statistics", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dnipro_International_Airport&oldid=1146943974, Buildings and structures destroyed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Articles with Ukrainian-language sources (uk), Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Articles containing Ukrainian-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 March 2023, at 22:22. Carlstrom did not respond to an Observer email Thursday seeking comment.