PANAMA CITY — Prosecutors have filed seven counts of grand theft against Gulf Coast State College’s former softball coach for allegedly pocketing money raised by her students, according to court documents.
Susan Marie Painter, 52, was ordered to once again turn herself in following a motion hearing Friday at the Bay County Courthouse. Painter initially was arrested on one count of grand theft in May for allegedly taking about $10,250 from the softball team members over several separate occasions. However, prosecutors outlined those charges as seven different offenses Friday.
Each count could amount to as much as five years of incarceration.
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State prosecutors also made the case for Painter, who now lives in Atlanta, to be taken back into custody and a bond be set on her release.
“She no longer has ties to this community, and I don’t know if she still has family around here,” said Barbara Beasley, assistant state attorney.
However, Painter was allowed to turn herself in at the jail and leave on the pretrial release program.
BCSO charged Painter with grand theft after an investigation led to about $10,250 in unaccounted for funds collected from students.
According to BCSO records, two students paid about $2,000 in rent, though they were on a rent-free scholarship. Some students, who were not charged rent, paid a $100 cleaning fee. During a five-day trip to Las Vegas, 20 students paid $300 each for “plane tickets,” though GCSC paid $10,428 for the players’ and coaches’ plane tickets, BCSO reported.
Once there, Painter allegedly disseminated $116 worth of meals when the players were supposed to receive $216 worth of meals. Several players complained to BCSO of having to pay out of their own pocket for food once the allocated funds were spent, investigators reported.
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Some students told investigators they fundraised for a trip to Disney World. The amount raised by each was unclear from the interview transcripts, but some estimated the money was about $500. The trip never happened, according to the students.
GCSC has reimbursed the students for the Las Vegas trip and identified itself as the victim in the case.
Painter was allowed to return to Atlanta. Her next court date was set for April 6.