Feb 15, 2008 11:34 pm US/Eastern
Chelsea Cop Denies Wrongdoing In Larceny Probe
CHELSEA, Mass. (WBZ) ―
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Atkins is under investigation for stealing $8,000 from a high school football fund.
The Boston Globe
A local cop desperate to clear his name spoke out for the first time since he was placed on leave during an investigation into thousands of missing dollars from a football booster club account.
Chelsea police Sgt. James Atkins is under investigation for misappropriating funds from a Chelsea High School football program, totaling some $8,000.
He has been on paid leave for months from the Chelsea Police Department.
Atkins has proclaimed his innocence throughout the entire ordeal.
"I have not been charged with any crime," he said.
But there's a legal cloud over his head since rumors surfaced one year ago that he mishandled money from the booster club fund at Chelsea High School, where he was a winning coach who turned around a lackluster team. His case sits with the district attorney.
"I was willing to waive Fifth Amendment rights against self incrimination to come in and speak with them about allegations and produce documents," Atkins said. "I felt it would clear my name."
Now coaching at Medford High School, Atkins' one year coaching contract is due to expire next month. They want to know what their next step should be.
The Medford school superintendent is standing by Atkins, who is considered a role model and an award winning coach brought in to do for Medford football what he did in Chelsea High School before the allegations, which have hurt his reputation.
"I worked hard to build that, and in one instant it was all wiped away," he said.
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