DA: Coach Withdrew Team Cash at Strip Club

Coach James Atkins is pictured at left in a photo taken last summer. Photo courtesy MedfordFootball.net.

Story Updated 3:46PM, Thursday, October 23, 2008

– Allison Goldsberry

Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley accused former Chelsea and Medford football coach James Atkins of using Chelsea booster football funds for personal use, including at a Revere strip club.

Assistant District Attorney Edward Beagan, chief of Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s Special Prosecutions Unit, said Atkins allegedly used team funds for airline tickets and purchases at a Boston sports bar, and to cover other personal expenses, including a $500 cash withdrawal at 1AM outside the Squire strip club in Revere.

Beagan said Atkins and his wife made numerous deposits of their own money into the team’s TD Banknorth account, but argued the charges reflect thefts of cash above and beyond any money they may have put into the account.

Atkins was arraigned in Superior Court Wednesday following his indictment earlier this month on ten counts of larceny alleging the theft of approximately $10,000 from the Chelsea High School football team booster club, of which he was the president.

“The evidence we’ve assembled paints a disturbing picture. It suggests the use of young people’s money for sordid adult purposes and it suggests a breach of trust that sends a terrible message to the kids,” said Suffolk County DA Conley.

Atkins did not appear in court at his arraignment on Wednesday, as he was legally not required to do so.  A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf by his lawyer, Doug Louison.

Louison told the Medford Daily Mercury Atkins used the money for things like equipment and that he kept bad records, but did not commit larceny.

He said Atkins is a “decorated, honorable” member of the Chelsea Police department and he is eager to put the case behind him so he can get back to work as a cop and a coach.

On October 1, a Suffolk County grand jury returned indictments charging Atkins with six counts of larceny over $250, three counts of larceny by scheme, and one count of larceny by check for thefts between 2005 and 2007.

The Chelsea Police Department began an internal investigation in 2007 into Atkins’ alleged misappropriation of funds from the booster club after parents and school officials told authorities they were concerned about the coach’s handling of money raised during fundraising events. Chelsea police conducted an investigation and based upon their findings, they referred the matter to the Suffolk County DA.

Atkins, a Chelsea Police Sergeant, was placed on paid administrative leave by the Chelsea Police department on Aug. 13, 2007, pending the result of both an internal affairs investigation and a separate investigation led by State Police detectives and Suffolk prosecutors.

Shortly after Atkins was hired in Medford for the Fall 2007 season, he was placed on paid administrative leave by Medford and was not allowed to coach pending the outcome of an investigation by the Suffolk County DA.

He was later indicted midway into the 2008 football season and just two months after school officials announced Atkins was cleared to return as the head football coach in Medford.  At the time School Superintendent Roy Belson said no charges had been filed and that Medford has waited long enough for the situation to be resolved.

He has been suspended without pay from the Medford football program this season pending the outcome of his case. Assistant coaches Mike Marchese and Jamie Delverde are serving as interim head coaches for the team.

Atkins was recognized in November of 2005 as the New England Patriots Coach of the Week for his work in turning the Chelsea football team around.   He took over the team prior to the 2004 season, and took them from not being able to field a varsity team in 2003 to having a 15-6 record in 2004 and 2005.  The award also lauded Atkins for encouraging his players to focus on school so they could graduate and receive college scholarships.

Atkins’ trial is tentatively set to begin on April 13, 2009.