Mason woman convicted of stealing from football, cheer boosters

Mason school officials are happy about local state lawmakers recently advocating for the district to get more coronavirus relief money. In recent months school officials here contended their school system was coming up more than $7.3 million short. The recent passage of HB 169, which Governor Mike DeWine has endorsed, would mean the shortfall would be corrected for Mason. (File Photo\Journal-News)

Mason school officials are happy about local state lawmakers recently advocating for the district to get more coronavirus relief money. In recent months school officials here contended their school system was coming up more than $7.3 million short. The recent passage of HB 169, which Governor Mike DeWine has endorsed, would mean the shortfall would be corrected for Mason. (File Photo\Journal-News)

A Mason woman has been convicted of stealing money from multiple booster organizations in Warren County Common Pleas Court, according to a release from the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office.

The charges

Laquita Miller, 44, was convicted of felony theft and telecommunications fraud charges, the release said.

Laquita Miller / WARREN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, PROVIDED

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The prosecutor’s office said she will be sentenced after a pre-sentence investigation is completed.

The investigation

In particular, Miller was accused of using banking information acquired while organizing a fundraiser for the Mason Football Boosters and a position as treasurer of the Mason Cheer Boosters to withdraw tens of thousands of dollars, the prosecutor’s office said.

Prosecutors said Miller organized the fundraiser in 2021, then in 2024 withdrew $6,158.52 from the account to pay for her credit card expenses.

After reviewing their finances, representatives from the Mason Cheer Boosters said that Miller had withdrawn at least $29,868.25 from their accounts, though the prosecutor’s office said they could not determine the total losses because the financial records, which were Miller’s responsibility, were incomplete.

Booster organization theft

Warren County Prosecutor David P. Fornshell said, “Miller was involved in several parent and booster organizations and appears to have created financial or other havoc in every one.”

Fornshell said that because booster organizations rely on volunteers, they are vulnerable to theft. He added that he will host a training for organizations and local leaders titled “Protecting Your Organization From Internal Theft” Nov. 19 at the prosecutor’s office. Interested people are asked to contact the prosecutor’s office by calling 513-695-1325.

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