KTLA

Ex-Valencia High School Coach Accused of Embezzling Funds Intended for Baseball Program, Players

A former varsity baseball coach at Valencia High School was facing a seven count felony complaint alleging misappropriation of public funds, embezzlement and grand theft, authorities announced Tuesday.

The William S. Hart School District first began investigating Jared Snyder in late 2013 after parents made an allegation of financial wrong-doings, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department.

An audit by the district discovered “substantial evidence to suggest Snyder had been misappropriating funds from the Valencia High School Associated Student Body by submitting fraudulent reimbursements,” the release stated.

At that point, the case was reported to the Sheriff Department for further investigation.

During a 10 month investigation, sheriff’s investigators found evidence that Snyder was submitting fraudulent reimbursement forms to Valencia High School ASB, according to the release.

Snyder had also allegedly set up a second bank account in the name of Valencia Diamond Club, that he used to funnel money from fundraisers and donations intended for the baseball program and its players, investigators said.

The investigation uncovered an alleged $8,000 in fraudulent cash reimbursements embezzled from the ASB and an additional $7,000 that was misdirected from the Valencia Diamond Club bank account to pay for his personal charges on credit cards, the release stated.

A felony arrest warrant was issued for Snyder on Jan. 15.

He was scheduled to surrender on Jan. 21. His bail was set at $70,000.