Two Lake Zurich High School cheer coaches are suspected of stealing $38,000 from the cheerleading program at the school.
Gabrielle N. Kelly, a Lake Zurich High cheer coach, was arrested on March 18 for theft and money laundering, and another coach, Kaylin Dietrich, turned herself in on March 20 and faces the same charges. The women face four charges each and they are felony charges.
The two women were suspected of the theft in February 2024.
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“The Lake Zurich Police Department was contacted by representatives from Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 regarding financial discrepancies,” according to a news release from the Lake Zurich police department.
According to a news release from the school district, the District 95 business office noticed the missing money last year.
“Some accounting irregularities were noticed last year in the invoicing by coaches of a District 95 high school athletic team (not current staff),” the district release said. “After further investigation, the district promptly reported the matter to the Lake Zurich Police Department, which resulted in a thorough police investigation. Ultimately, at the end of last week, criminal charges were filed against the suspect(s) involved.”
Deitrich was named the head cheerleading coach in 2020. In an announcement, Lake Zurich High School said “Kaylin brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to LZHS.”
Neither Deitrich nor Kelly are current district employees. A district spokesperson, Jean Malek, said coaches are hired each year with one-year contracts and neither Kelly nor Dietrich were hired for the 2024-2025 year.
The theft should not impact the current year’s high school cheer budget.
“There was no operation budget impact to the cheerleading program for this school year,” explained Malek.
Kelly is being represented by Jason Dreifuss who said his client is also a victim in the crime.
“Gabbi is another victim of Kaylin Dietrich’s, just like Lake Zurich School District 95,” said Dreifuss. “Ms. Dietrich was a mentor to Gabbi, and Ms. Dietrich manipulated her. I am requesting that the public reserve judgment of Gabbi.”
Her arraignment is scheduled for April 18, where she is expected to enter a plea.
It’s not immediately known whether Dietrich has a lawyer and she could not be immediately contacted for a comment.
According to a police news release, officers discovered the two women allegedly “diverted” over $38,000 to themselves “for personal use.”
The police are asking the public for help and anyone with information should call Detective Sgt. Andy Sieber at the Lake Zurich Police Department at 847-719-1690 ext. 6125.
Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.