The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

October 17, 2012

Nicollet athletic director denies theft

By Amanda Dyslin Free Press Staff Writer

NICOLLET — The Nicollet Public Schools athletic director accused of stealing about $1,500 from event funds says he was transporting the money found in his truck on. Oct. 11 to an event and was not stealing it.

Berg, whose title also included dean of students and director of community education, was charged Monday in Nicollet County District Court with two counts of felony theft, including one count for stealing public funds. Nicollet County Investigator Marc Chadderdon alleges Berg, 31, of rural Le Sueur County stole $1,495 over “numerous occasions” from ticket sales and concession stand funds.

During a closed portion of the Nicollet School Board meeting Wednesday night to discuss disciplinary action of an employee, the board may have been reviewing a statement issued by Berg. When the meeting was reopened, the board unanimously voted to immediately “discharge an employee,” but Supt. Jack Eustice declined to disclose the name of the employee because “due process still has to take place.”

Court documents indicate Chadderdon caught Berg taking $520 out of the school safe through a hidden camera system on Oct. 11, and Chadderdon said Berg admitted to taking the money and spending some on bills, gas and football cards, which he planned to sell to make a profit. The remainder of the $520 was found in Berg’s vehicle, according to court documents.

Berg, however, is denying that account.

In a statement he issued to the School Board, Berg said the total amount was not more than $1,000. And he said Chadderdon had other details wrong.

“The evidence he thought he had in my truck was actual stuff bought and paid for with my own money. I collect baseball and football cards — (buy) lots off eBay for my kids,” he wrote. “If Marc would have looked in the cash bag that was in my truck that was from the school, he would have seen the money in there and realized I was getting ready for the concessions and not actually stealing any money. ...

“I use my personal vehicle to transport money, food (and) items for concessions. So, in reality, all of the money is put in my truck and transported to the concessions.”

Via text message, Berg said he is a disabled veteran and single father of two and is looking for a “pro bono attorney” to help him with his case.

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