School official accused in theft of $86,000

RUMFORD – The longtime athletic director of Mountain Valley High School has been indicted by an Oxford County grand jury for allegedly embezzling more than $86,000 between 2000 and 2003.

Timothy McInnis, 52, of Rumford was issued a summons to appear in Superior Court on April 8 to answer a charge of felony theft, the Lewiston Sun Journal reported. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

After school officials reportedly found discrepancies in McInnis’ athletic department account, he was placed on administrative leave in mid-January. He resigned Feb. 2.

McInnis was employed for more than 30 years by SAD 43 and served as the district’s athletic director for the last 17 years at Mountain Valley High School.

Rumford Detective Lt. Wayne Gallant said Friday he first learned of suspected financial improprieties by McInnis on Jan. 13 when SAD 43 Superintendent James Hodgkin and high school Principal Bruce Lindberg came to the police station.

“They reported there had been a theft of several thousands of dollars from the athletic department’s account,” Gallant said.

An SAD 43 official in Hodgkin’s office said the district had no comment on the matter.

According to the indictment, Gallant’s investigation revealed that from Jan. 1, 2000, to Dec. 31, 2003, McInnis took more than $86,000 cash from the district.

Gallant said he initially was checking McInnis’ financial records as far as six months, but new information revealed the theft apparently had been going on much longer.

“There may have been more money taken, but what we’ve been able to track is what we felt comfortable with in presenting the case to the grand jury,” Gallant added.

Evidence included more than 100 checks ranging from $50 to $1,000.

“There were a lot of checks that were made to look like legitimate athletic department payouts, but, in fact, the checks were all made out to and cashed by Tim McInnis,” Gallant said.

“We have our suspicions about where and how the money was used, but it appears that all the money was taken by Mr. McInnis for personal use,” the detective said.