There has been yet another embezzlement case reported in San Benito County pertaining to a local nonprofit organization.
The latest case involves Debra Curtis, 53, of Hollister whom the sheriff’s office has accused of stealing close to $50,000 from the Baler Band Booster Club. According to a sheriff’s office announcement released Tuesday, the club appointed Curtis as treasurer in July 2013 and she resigned in February.
Capt. Tony Lamonica in a follow-up phone interview confirmed the amount looks like it is close to $50,000, while the sheriff’s office is continuing its investigation.
“Curtis was able to obtain an ATM card under the Baler Band Booster Club name and used it to make withdrawals and purchases for her own personal gain,” according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.
Lamonica called the alleged crime “a shame.” Sheriff’s deputies arrested her Monday.
“What a shame,” he said, “all the poeple that did all this fundraising.”
Club members became suspicious after a high school band director tried to cash a check from the club and the bank refused to cash it, requesting the bank director to get in contact with the booster club.
“Eventually the booster club discovered their money they raised through fundraisers and donations had been emptied by Curtis,” according to the sheriff’s office.
The case involving the Baler Booster Band is just the latest embezzlement case in the county. Since late 2009, there have been five high-profile embezzlement cases involving people in positions of trust within local organizations. They include thefts – with a wide range of five- and six-figure dollar amounts stolen – from the now-defunct San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce, the Hollister Heat softball league, an Australian cattle dog rescue group, the Hollister police union and the sheriff deputies union.
With the band’s booster club, Lamonica alleged that Curtis had an ATM card issued to her in her own name.
