Woman accused of stealing more than $50K from local band booster club sentenced to jail

Indiana: A woman named Lara Brown, who used to be the treasurer for the United Band Boosters, has been sentenced for stealing over $50,000. She started taking money back in 2019 while her daughter was in the band and kept it up until 2022.

The police got involved after an investigation led to charges being filed against her in March 2023. She pleaded guilty in September. Last Friday, she was sentenced to spend between six months to two years in the Indiana County Jail. On top of that, she has to pay back the money she stole and complete a mental health evaluation.

District Attorney Robert Manzi praised the hard work of the police and the band booster members for bringing her to justice. He mentioned how the community worked hard to raise funds for the students, and it was heartbreaking to see that trust broken. Many families were looking forward to special experiences, like a trip to Disney, but instead faced betrayal.

During the hearing, several members shared how they felt anxious and stressed due to the situation. It’s a tough lesson about trust and the impact of one person’s selfish actions on a whole community.