A grand jury has indicted the former head coach of the Cumberland County High School cheerleading team following an investigation into thousands of dollars in missing funds, state officials announced this week.

Donna Mifflin faces one count of theft over $2,500 after an probe by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office revealed she allegedly misappropriated at least $5,155.03 between April 2024 and October 2024. Mifflin’s coaching duties were suspended in October 2024 when the discrepancies came to light.

According to investigators, the missing money was collected from parents and fundraising events intended for cheer gear and spirit wear. Mifflin reportedly accepted payments through cash, checks made out to the school, and her personal Venmo account, but failed to deposit all the money into the school’s accounts.

The state’s report outlines a pattern of financial deception:

• Overcharging: Mifflin allegedly overstated the actual costs of cheer apparel, collected the inflated amounts from parents, and pocketed the difference.

• Fundraising Shortfalls: She failed to deposit the full totals collected from team fundraisers and kept a portion of the funds sent to her personal Venmo.

• Personal Use: Investigators discovered Mifflin used at least $594.43 of team funds to purchase cheer gear for a family member on the squad without making any payments for the items.

The Comptroller’s Office also flagged $524.81 in questionable apparel purchases for coaches and assistant coaches, which were made using team funds without the knowledge or approval of parents.

The investigation culminated this month when the Cumberland County Grand Jury officially handed down the theft indictment.

Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower emphasized that the case serves as a stark warning about the lack of financial oversight in school activities.

“School officials must ensure that all collections are properly documented, receipted, and deposited in a timely manner,” Mumpower said in a statement. “Allowing one individual to control collections without oversight and using personal payment platforms significantly weakens internal controls and increases the risk of misappropriation.”