Former High School Athletics Director Will Serve Embezzlement Sentence on Weekends, Mostly Probation

The former athletics director for White Knoll High School who was arrested in 2010 on embezzlement charges has been sentenced to 160 days in jail, and 5 years’ probation. He will serve the jail sentence on weekends, according to reports.

Bryan Butz, 49, used a forgotten booster club bank account to steal $112,000 from the school, which was meant for athletics uniforms and other items. The booster club, and other school organizations, wrote checks for Butz’s athletes totaling $135,000 between June 2006 and September 2010. However, most of that money went into Butz’s pocket.

The embezzlement came to the school’s attention when a check, written for personal expenses, bounced, and BB&T notified White Knoll of the problem.

Prosecutors claimed that more than $500,000 disappeared through the rogue account over four years, but due to poor record-keeping, they could only verify the disappearance of $112,000.

On Monday, December 2nd, Circuit Judge Robert Hood issued a very lenient sentence to Butz after a 90 minute court battle between defense and prosecuting attorneys over how severe the federal embezzlement charges were. Butz faced 10 years in prison for the embezzlement charges.

“Mr. Butz violated the trust of students and parents,” 11th Circuit assistant solicitor Robert Elam told Hood, explaining that donations to the school’s booster club plummeted after Butz’s theft was discovered, which could be detrimental to athletics at the school in the future.

Elam claimed that Butz only showed remorse when he was caught. As athletics director, he not only had a visible and respected position at the school, he made $80,000 a year. When he was promoted to athletics director in 2006, Butz took advantage of a “perfect storm” of personnel changes, and he realized he was the only one who knew about the unused booster club account. Another account had been set up to get around some district purchase rules, “to save time.”

Butz used the embezzled funds for personal expenses, according to several bank records, making purchases of dog food and paying cable television bills, among other expenses.

Butz currently works as manager of a chicken processing plant with a substantially lower salary. His wife of 20 years, Melanie, testified that he worked closely with his church and repented his sins. She also said that the couple had a troubled adopted son, who needed Butz at home and out of jail. Additionally, she would begin cancer treatment and would need her husband’s presence and support to help her through the process.

As part of his sentence for the embezzlement charges, Butz will pay a restitution of $13,000. Insurance reimbursed the school for $99,000.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Embezzlement Charges

If you or someone you know is facing charges for embezzlement, contact our office today to get the help of an experienced federal criminal defense attorney who can review your case and determine your best course of action. We offer free, confidential consultations, so do not hesitate to contact us. 803.252.4800.