Soccer coach spent $5k at strip club using school’s credit card

Police arrested a high school soccer coach in Texas after he spent thousands at a strip club in Houston on the school’s credit card. Initially, J.D. Bales claimed the charge was fraudulent. However, evidence indicated otherwise. Police then arrested Bales before he posted a bond of $10,000.

The incident happened in July during a coaching clinic. Bales spent $5,455.81 on a district credit card at The Men’s Club of Houston. Eventually, Bales submitted payment for the charge. Yet, the overwhelming evidence against Bales centered around the fact that he used taxpayer money at a strip club in Houston. The Wise County District Attorney, which oversees the region including Bridgeport High School, indicted Bales. After that, the DA issued a warrant for Bales’ arrest.

The Bridgeport Independent School Department accepted Bales’ resignation in September earlier this year. At the time, the Bridgeport ISD said it was investigating “allegations of misconduct regarding the use of district funds.”

“[Bales] resigned from both his coaching position and his role as a [special education] teacher at Bridgeport Middle School [Sept. 8],” the statement read. “Superintendent Dr. Amy Ellis confirmed that the decision to accept the resignation is in the best interest of Bridgeport ISD and the athletic program.”

The Bridgeport Athletic Department hired Bales in 2018. He coached the soccer team and served as an assistant on the football team. Yet, this was not the only controversy that surrounded the Bridgeport Bulls soccer program.

Soccer coach at a strip club is not the only concern

This same soccer program was already under the microscope for previous instances of concern. During its time in the playoffs in 2023, the Bridgeport Police Department investigated the soccer program following allegations of hazing. The soccer team fielded accusations of underclassmen suffering at the hands of those already on the team.

“The investigation revealed…

Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/soccer-coach-spent-5k-at-strip-club-using-schools-credit-card-20231227-WST-479909.html

Author : Kyle Fansler

Publish date : 2023-12-27 21:05:20

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