A Texas soccer coach has been apprehended after allegedly blowing $5,000 at a strip club…and charging it to a credit card owned by the school district.
J.D. Bales, a former assistant soccer coach at Bridgeport High School in Texas, has been arrested for felony theft of property. The Wise County Messenger reported that the alleged incident occurred while Bales was still employed by the district.
Police Chief Steve Stanford announced Bales’ arrest on December 15 after an indictment was handed down. He has been released on a $10,000 bond.
Bales resigned in September after the district found evidence he charged $5,455.81 to a Bridgeport ISD credit card at a Houston strip club in July during a coaching clinic. The former coach initially claimed that the credit card charge was fraudulent, but later admitted responsibility.
“Bales eventually submitted payment for the charge. However, due to the overwhelming evidence in the case (most importantly the case involved taxpayer money), I believed it was prudent to submit the case to the Wise County District Attorney,” Bridgeport Police Chief Steve Stanford said in a statement.
The district accepted Bales’ resignation at a school board meeting on September 11, with Superintendent Dr. Amy Ellis emphasizing that the decision was in the best interest of Bridgeport ISD and the athletic program. Following Bales’ resignation, the school district initiated an investigation into allegations of misconduct regarding the use of district funds.
Prior to the credit card incident, the team that Bales was coaching, the Bridgestone Bulls, was under investigation for alleged hazing issues. In May, six of his soccer players were arrested on the Class B misdemeanor charge of personal hazing. They were accused of stripping, filming, and subjecting others to demeaning and explicit actions between October 2022 and March 2023.
Information for this story was found via the Wise County Messenger, and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
