Former McKenzie High School Softball Booster Club Treasurer Indicted
Samantha Chesser Misappropriated $12,592.81
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Samantha Chesser, the former treasurer of the McKenzie High School On Deck Club, which supports the softball teams at McKenzie High School and Middle School.
Chesser, who served as club treasurer from 2016 to 2023, misappropriated club funds totaling at least $12,592.81. The money was stolen through Chesser’s use of a club debit card to make ATM withdrawals and personal purchases. She also made unauthorized cash withdrawals directly from the club’s bank account by using withdrawal slips.
Chesser concealed the unauthorized transactions by falsifying the annual club financial records that she submitted to school officials. The Comptroller’s Office initiated its investigation after school officials identified and reported questionable activity in the club’s bank account.
Investigators have also questioned additional club disbursements totaling $3,400.08 which include cash withdrawals and debit card transactions. These disbursements lacked the necessary documentation to support the purchases and withdrawals.
Furthermore, due to the club’s failure to maintain collection logs for fundraisers and document admission fees collected for softball games, investigators could not determine if all collections were deposited in the club’s bank account.
Based upon this investigation, in September 2023, the Carroll County Grand Jury indicted Samantha Chesser for one count of theft of property over $10,000 and one count of forgery over $10,000.
“Booster club officials have a responsibility to ensure they are maintaining invoices, receipts, or other supporting documentation for all disbursements,” said Comptroller Mumpower. “The Comptroller’s Office has developed model polices that each club across Tennessee should be following to help prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.”
To view the investigative report, go to tncot.cc/doireports.
