Allegations
Atkins allegedly made the withdrawals between 2005 and 2007. The charges came to light after parents of the team raised concerns over suspicious activity in the booster club’s account.
Updated 22:53, October the 22nd, 2008
From booster to strip clubs
BOSTON. A former high school football coach allegedly stole thousands of dollars from a Chelsea booster club and used some funds intended for team uniforms at a strip club.
James Atkins, 43, was arraigned yesterday on 10 counts of larceny for alleged thefts of around $10,000 from the Chelsea High School football team booster club, of which he was the president.
According to prosecutors, Atkins used money for airline tickets and made cash withdrawals as far away as Alabama. One withdrawal of $500 was made about a mile from the Squire strip club in Chelsea, where Atkins allegedly spent it.
“The evidence we’ve assembled paints a disturbing picture,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley. “It suggests the use of young people’s money for sordid adult purposes.”
Atkins was dismissed as the head football coach at Medford High School earlier this month.
