NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — He was entrusted with money that was raised to support a high school football team, but he spent that money, tens of thousands of dollars, on himself, so says Luzerne County prosecutors.
47-year-old Sterling Kepp was president of the Nanticoke 12th Man Football Booster Club.
On Wednesday, he was in court to face a theft charge.
Sterling Kepp is heading to Luzerne County court for a possible trial.
Booster club members say he stole much more than money, he violated the trust of the entire community.
47-year-old Sterling Kepp walked into Central Court Wednesday morning, accused of stealing some $26,000 from the Nanticoke 12th Man Football Booster Club when he was president in 2023.
Wendy Graves discovered the theft when she took over as treasurer of the organization.
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"When I fundraise, I fundraise heavy, and, you know, I was trusting that money that we were raising was going toward our children, our football players. That's what it was supposed to go for. That's what I thought it was going for," Graves explained.
Graves says Kepp admitted to stealing the money and promised to pay it back. She called the police.
The money is used to support the Greater Nanticoke Area High School football team for things like uniforms and an awards banquet.
"I think parents are key, whether it's their education or whether it's coming out and supporting their children at athletic events, or if it's running a booster club. Those activities are critical for kids' success and also for student achievement as well," Greater Nanticoke Area School District Superintendent Doctor Ronald Grevera stated.
Attorney Al Flora has been involved in youth group organizations for some 50 years. He had this advice for other area groups when it comes to finances.
"Make sure that you have a very active board of directors that asks questions and meets monthly, that you have a treasurer who preferably has an accounting background of some kind so he can give monthly financial reports to the board. You can also have a situation where you can have two people where it takes two people to sign off on checks rather than one," Flora explained.
Graves and Superintendent Grevera tell 28/22 News that the Nanticoke community has rallied around the booster club in the aftermath of the theft, basically replacing the money that was stolen.
The case now goes on to Luzerne County court for possible trial.
