A scandal has unfolded at Lake Zurich High School where former cheerleading coaches have been arrested on charges of theft and money laundering, involving embezzled school funds. Kaylin Dietrich, 33, and Gabriele N. Kelly, 26, are accused of misappropriating substantial funds from the school's cheer program, following an investigation that highlighted financial discrepancies within the school's cheerleading finances.
According to information provided by the Lake Zurich Police Department and published by WGN-TV, Dietrich and Kelly allegedly collaborated in a scheme in which they pocketed over $38,000 meant for the cheer program, Dietrich, turned herself into the authorities this past Thursday, while Kelly had already turned herself in on March 18th, they both are now facing two counts each of theft and money laundering.
As earlier reported by NBC Chicago, the Lake Zurich Community United School District 95 first alerted the police to potential financial improprieties, which uncovered that Kelly had diverted school district funds for personal use; the police investigation into the situation is still ongoing.
Details of the case continue to emerge following the coaches' court appearances, Kelly on March 18 and Dietrich on March 20 respectively, and as the story develops the Lake Zurich Police Department is asking anyone with relevant information to contact Detective Sergeant Andy Sieber at 847-719-1690 x 6125, the investigation remains open and police are actively seeking additional leads that might shed further light on this disheartening misuse of school funds.
