Authorities have indicted the former head football coach at Chattanooga’s Central High School on a charge of theft more than $1,000, after they say he pocketed money he wasn’t supposed to have.
This, according to a press release Tennessee Comptrollers put out this week.
That former coach, Cortney Braswell, is currently a quality control assistant for the University of Louisville football team, according to Comptrollers.
“Comptroller investigators determined that Braswell pocketed at least $2,480 in payments he received from two semi-pro football teams that had paid to use the high school’s football field for their home games. The money should have been turned over to the school,” the press release said.
“The investigation revealed that Braswell was paid a total of at least $1,480 by a women’s semi-pro team in 2016 and 2017. He was paid $1,000 by a men’s semi-pro team in 2017.”
Hamilton County Department of Education policy requires groups seeking to use school facilities to complete a use form and have it approved by the principal and the Office of Risk Management. The form also requires applicants to submit proof of general liability insurance, according to Comptrollers.
“Neither team submitted this information to the high school in 2017; instead, they stated there was a verbal agreement with Braswell regarding the use of the football field and rental payments. This created a liability risk for Central High School and Hamilton County Schools,” according to the press release.
“Investigators made numerous attempts to meet with Braswell. The coach initially spoke with investigators by telephone; however, the coach stopped returning investigators’ calls.”
Authorities initiated their investigation after Hamilton County Department of Education officials identified and reported possible missing facility use payments. They also reported possible misuse of the CHS football field, according to the audit.
“The former CHS head football coach was hired on August 4, 2016 and resigned on March 2, 2018,” auditors wrote.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
