Varsity basketball coach in California charged with theft amidst investigation

California high school basketball coach charged with stealing funds.

A former high school basketball coach in California has been charged with theft amidst allegations of stolen funds.

Austin Pope, who was a basketball coach at John Burroughs High School (Burbank, California), was charged this week according to a press release from the Burbank Police Department with “theft in connection with his official capacity.”

Following an investigation by the Burbank police, Pope has been accused of having taken “funds he was entrusted with in his official capacity as a coach. The case was reviewed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, who referred it to the Burbank City Attorney’s Office.”

He has been charged with ‘Theft by False Pretenses Exceeding $950.’ There is a court date for Pope in late June where he will be arraigned.

Per KTLA, a CW station in Los Angeles, Pope’s position as a varsity basketball coach “has since been terminated by the School District.”

Last season, Burroughs finished the season 15-14.

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