High School Band Booster President Admits to Stealing Funds

CLERMONT, Florida—The president of a local high school’s band booster association turned herself in to the Lake County Jail on a warrant after admitting to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective she stole nearly $7,500 because she was struggling with monthly bills.

Officials with Clermont’s East Ridge High School and Lake County Schools (LCS)contacted LCSO in early May with concerns about East Ridge High School’s Band Booster Association’s financial records and expenditures after LCS received an anonymous tip, according to a probable cause affidavit.

LCSO began investigating and found that the booster’s association’s president, Denise June McLeod of Minneola, altered at least 44 transactions between July 2021 and March 2022 totaling $7,482. The detective discovered recurring payments to Sprint that paid for McLeod’s family’s cell phone plan and several Venmo cash out transactions.

On July 7, McLeod, 50, was interviewed by an LCSO detective and she reportedly admitted the crimes and said she was struggling to pay her monthly bills and her rent on time.

A warrant was issued for McLeod’s arrest Wednesday for grand theft and false entries into a book of business. She turned herself in at LCJ Friday, where she was released on $4,000 bond.

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