Varsity basketball coach charged with theft in Southern California
A man who was coaching basketball at a Burbank high school when he allegedly stole funds late last year has been charged with theft, police announced Wednesday.
A monthlong investigation into the allegations against Austin Pope began in December 2023 when the Burbank Unified School District contacted law enforcement about a possible theft of funds.
Pope, who was working as a varsity basketball coach at John Burroughs High School at the time, has since been terminated by the School District, the Burbank Police Department stated in a news release.
“The investigation has revealed that Mr. Pope misappropriated funds he was entrusted with in his official capacity as a coach,” the Police Department said in the release.
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The Burbank City Attorney’s Office filed one count of theft by false pretenses exceeding $950 against Pope.
The case was also reviewed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office before being referred to the Burbank City Attorney’s Office.
Pope is due to appear in Los Angeles Superior Court on June 28 for arraignment.
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Anyone with information about the ongoing investigation was asked to contact the Police Department at 818-238-3210.
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