Ex-coach accused of stealing from team

PROVO — The former coach for the Spanish Fork girls soccer squad is accused in court documents of stealing money from the team.

Jeremy King, 26, former head coach, is charged with five counts of forgery and one charge of theft — all third-degree felonies — for allegedly stealing more than $1,300 from an account. Money in the fund was for soccer equipment and refreshments after games, said Spanish Fork police detective Matt Johnson.

Jere Reneer, King's attorney, said the situation has been blown out of proportion. The funds, Reneer said, were donations King had solicited from companies to help support the team. King borrowed some money to pay emergency personal expenses.

The funds weren't connected to school funds or booster-club dollars, Reneer said.

King set up the account under the name of the assistant coach, who was a friend. The woman authorized King to sign her name on checks if needed, Reneer said.

"It's not forgery if you're authorized to sign," he said. "That authorization was always given."

However, when the assistant director got a few notices of bounced checks, she approached the school's athletic director.

Johnson said the police investigation found that King and his wife had been writing checks to themselves instead of using the money for the team.

Brianne King, 26, also faces four felony forgery charges and a theft charge, according to documents filed in 4th District Court.

Charges were filed in 4th District Court in late January. The Kings will appear in court for the first time on Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Reneer said the couple used a few hundred dollars to pay outstanding debts and were planning to repay the money as soon as possible. The money had been raised by King and was to be used at his discretion, Reneer said.

The alleged actions had been going on for a few months, Johnson said, and involved close to 10 checks, some as large as $200, others in the $50 range.

The Kings had told school officials they would put $700 back in the account, Reneer said, even though they say they used less than that.

Coaches have no power to allocate school funds, said Tim Braithwaite, who oversees all Nebo School District athletic programs.

If a coach wants school money for a sports team, they are asked to approach the principal, who appropriates the funds, Braithwaite said. Coaches would not have the power to cut checks from school funds.

King, who was hired in June 2005, was terminated in September after the allegations came to light.

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