Former Henderson football coach accused of theft

By Jeremy Twitchell

Published Monday, Aug. 3, 2009 | 1:11 p.m.

Updated Monday, Aug. 3, 2009 | 2:35 p.m.

A former Coronado High School football coach was arrested this morning on one felony count of theft stemming from allegations that he stole more than $17,000 in funds raised for the football team.

Clark County School District Police arrested John Mannion, 50, outside the Henderson Justice Court this morning, where he and his attorney had previously arranged for Mannion to turn himself in.

He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center, but Mannion’s attorney, Vince Consul, said because Mannion agreed to turn himself in, he was scheduled to be released on his own recognizance Monday afternoon — meaning he would have to sign a promise to appear, but would not have to pay bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 12, Consul said.

School police said they had requested a warrant for five counts of felony theft against Mannion, but the District Attorney’s office approved the warrant for a single count.

School Police Capt. James Ketsaa said the department had no additional comment, citing the pending court case.

“I don’t think it would be really appropriate to release the details of that case,” he said.

Calls to the Clark County District Attorney’s office were not immediately returned.

School District officials placed Mannion on paid administrative leave April 2 after a scheduled audit conducted in February uncovered discrepancies in deposits and disbursements for the football program.

Michael Rodriguez, a public information specialist with the Clark County School District, said Mannion left the district's employ on May 8, but declined to say how or why.

"We don't comment on personnel issues," he said.

Consul said he has only received 20 pages of information detailing the investigation into his client, and said he has been told there are hundreds of additional pages that he is waiting to receive.

“It’s hard to respond because we weren’t provided with all the discovery today,” he said. “I can’t comment until we see all those documents.”

In April, Consul told the Sun the money was stolen from Mannion’s desk before Mannion could deposit it.

“There was a report of theft in some fashion,” Counsul said at the time. “There is a student out there who initiated the report.”