crime:

Former Henderson football coach accused of theft

By Jeremy Twitchell (contact)

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

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

John Mannion

Amid investigation, Coronado begins search to replace coach (4-6-2009)
School District puts Coronado coach on paid leave (4-2-09)

Coronado High School

High school sports section

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.”

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

By CCSDTeacher

8/3/09 at 2:54 p.m.

Suggest removal

"Bail????" Well, I guess I could 'appropriate' more athletic funds if you give me until sometime in September. That's when the kids come back to school, you know."

This former athletic coach is the son of Terry Mannion, an ex-CCSD high-ranking administrator. I am sure she is so proud of her progeny.
By vsestini

8/3/09 at 6:35 p.m.

Suggest removal

How much juice did Terry and Jack Mannion throw at this in order to keep things as quiet as possible?

Who in the personnel office hired this guy in the first place. District personnel are suppoed to be cleared with an FBI background check before being hired. Is this a case of under the table pay off? Someone did not do their job in the first place, and that person should be fired immediately for malfeasance in office.

A real scandal is hiding just under the carpet in this district when it comes to illegal use of district funds. What about magazine, candy sales, game ticket revenue and school dances? Who really knows how much money is placed in the side pocket of some administraator...it is a very free and loose system of acountablility at the very best. No legitimate business would allow this to cotninue, unless it was an operation by the Mafia or Al Capones boys in old time Chicago.

A Grand Jury investigation is warranted to filter out the crooks, would-be crooks and pseudo educators who abuse the system day after day and time after time. Ths is not the first, nor the last we will hear of such cases...

How much corruption goes on in purchasing school supplies, equipment, property, construction. etc. Only a Grand Jury Investigation could ever weed all of this out for the public to know. But will the D.A. attempt such a move?
By vsestini

8/3/09 at 6:46 p.m.

Suggest removal

An administrator with a legitimate (earned) doctoral degree is placed in a separate salaary column for pay. If that person really only has an honorary degree and uses the title "Doctor" as if earned and for the purpose of collecting a higher salary is that not fraud also?

I know of at least one or two cases where an administrator with the title "Doctor" flaunted and used it continually but ceased to do so immediately after retirement but still active in public affairs. Why would someone quit using the title "Doctor" if it were an earned degree? This does not make sense to me.

Someone needs to check on the background of several former and present district level administrators for their legitimate claims to the extended salaries they may ave earned under false pretenses of having earned doctoral degrees in education, etc. This is a situation ripe for fraud and has existed for at least the past 30 years in this district.

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