The state comptroller’s office has charged a former Brighton Blitz Booster Club with stealing from fundraising events.
On Dec. 12, 2020, the club contacted the comptroller’s office to report its secretary, Amy Spurlin, had stolen money from the discount card fundraiser and the March 13, 2020 Lift-A-Thon, for which donations were collected online.
The booster club helps raise money for the Brighton High School football team. Occasionally, Spurlin was allowed to use the club’s debit card to make purchases for the football team.
Investigators determined that Spurlin stole at least $1,719.44 from both the high school and the booster club between January 2020 and July 2020. This includes $931 in cash that she misappropriated from a fundraiser as well as $788.44 from unauthorized sales transactions (Amazon and Chick-fil-a) and cash withdrawals from the booster club account.
After being relieved of her duties, Spurlin repaid a total of $550, leaving a total outstanding balance of $1,169.44.
A March 2022 affidavit by the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office shows Spurlin voluntarily identified transactions in which she misappropriated funds and said a family member stole half of the money collected from the high school. The rest was used for personal gain due to family hardships.
Spurlin agreed to continue paying back the booster club and the high school. She was charged on Wednesday. She is due in Tipton County General Sessions Court on July 8.
“Booster club officials are required by state law to safeguard funds and property,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower. “In this situation, bank statements were not promptly reviewed and reconciled allowing unauthorized purchases to go undetected for several months. Booster club officials must also require and retain invoices or other documentation for all disbursements and cash withdrawals.”
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