An investigation into the financial records of the football booster club is under way by the Scarborough Police Department.
The Scarborough Football Club, which sponsors the youth and middle school-age football programs and supports the high school football program, confirmed that its financial records from October 2001 to the present have been subpoenaed by the police.
According to Scarborough Police Detective Eric Greenleaf, the investigation is “in its infancy stage.” Because the investigation is ongoing, Greenleaf said he could not reveal any more information. Town Council Chairman Jeff Messer said he had been interviewed as part of the investigation because he was a former member of the organization’s board of directors.
The issue will be addressed at a Scarborough Football Club meeting on Monday at 6:30 p.m at the high school cafeteria.
“I think that it is good that somebody with authority is investigating allegations that have been around and viewed as rumors for several years,” said Scarborough School Board Chairwoman Annalee Rosenblatt about the handling of finances by the booster club. “I hope the investigation puts the matter to rest one way or another.”
In June, the school board adopted a policy to require booster groups to produce monthly balance sheets and meeting minutes. Though the policy was recommended by the Maine School Management Association, Rosenblatt said Saturday the rumors regarding the mismanagement of the funds by the football booster group was also “an impetus for the school board writing those new policies.” At the meeting, a group of booster club parents showed up to oppose the policy.
“Some booster clubs are calling it micro-management. Others are calling it accountability,” Rosenblatt.
The Scarborough Football Club was founded in 1997 by Randy Hitchcock, who resigned as president of the club in June. The presidency was taken over in July by Dan Kelley, who had no comment on the issue.
The club initially supported both football and cheerleading programs, but separated into two different clubs last year. Hitchcock’s wife, Cheryl, the former high school cheerleading coach, resigned from her position at the end of last school year. The couple, who previously lived in Scarborough, where they had two children in the school system, has moved from their home in Saco. Randy Hitchcock, who had been working as the postmaster in Sanford, is currently employed as the station manager for the Myrtle Grove Annex in Wilmington, N.C.
Reached at the post office, Hitchcock declined comment on the investigation.
Though town officials and the booster club are cooperating with police for the investigation, everyone hopes that it will affect the current football players as little as possible.
“We’re trying to stay calm, let the investigation run its course and let the kids have a great year,” Rosenblatt said.
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