Ex-Friendswood ISD booster club leader gets 10 years in theft of ... - Houston Chronicle

A former president of the Friendswood ISD booster club is facing 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to the theft of more than $200,000 from the organization, which was used to purchase an "alarming amount" of men's undergarments, police say.

Shona Guerra, who also went by Nikki, was sentenced by a Galveston County judge Oct. 5 to 10 years behind bars for stealing more than $200,000 while she was president of the Friendswood Mustang Booster Club. The organization raises money to support high school student athletes.

According to Friendswood police, the investigation found that Guerra stole funds meant for scholarships and several athletic programs in the district over the period she served as president, from 2017 to the time of her dismissal by the district in 2021. 

Police say Guerra used a card provided by the booster club to purchase personal items, including an "overabundance" of men's underwear, according to department spokesperson Taylor McCombs. 

McCombs said items purchased by Guerra included various hygiene products, groceries, and other personal items, but police noticed a significant portion of the $200,000 was used to buy men's underwear and socks.

"There was an exceeding amount spent on men's undergarments," McCombs said.

In January 2021, Friendswood ISD officials noticed financial inconsistencies related to the booster club and addressed those with the organization's leadership, according to the district.

The club's administrators determined that Guerra was using booster club funds for personal use and notified the district, which then reported the findings to Friendswood police, said a district statement released at the time.

Guerra was fired immediately, according to the district.

Booster clubs are separate entities from school districts. The clubs are regulated by the group's board and charter and do not use the district's funds, Fort Bend ISD said.

In response to the theft, the district established a financial oversight committee made up of the chief financial officer, accountant, athletic director, and club leadership and now uses an independent third party to oversee daily bookkeeping and finance records.

Chief financial officer Amber Petree said restitution was not part of the sentencing for Guerra, but parents were able to raise back the money stolen and scholarships were given that year.