Reaching into the cookie jar

On Monday (Dec. 8), Superior Court Judge Steven Benson ordered Shannon Hostettler, who pleaded no contest in July to charges that she embezzled thousands of dollars from the Pleasant Valley Sports Boosters, to repay the group $84,731.

As noted in the CN&R’s April 10 cover story, “Boosting from the boosters,” Hostettler was originally charged with stealing $69,453 that otherwise would have gone to support student athletes. According to a press release from District Attorney Mike Ramsey’s office, her attorney tried to convince Benson that she’d taken only $22,000. After listening to 10 witnesses during a two-day hearing, the judge determined the amount was $64,585. He also ordered Hostettler to repay $20,146 to cover the boosters’ legal fees. Her sentencing is set for Jan. 28, 2009.

The news comes on the heels of reports of two other cases of thefts from youngsters. On Dec. 4, Lisa Elaine Beale, of Chico, was arrested on charges of embezzling nearly $30,000 while serving as treasurer of Chico Boy Scout Troop 3. And on the same day police arrested Paradise High School English teacher Delmar O. Hughes for allegedly stealing an undisclosed amount of football gate receipts from the school safe.