NILES - Money missing from the booster organization which helps support the Niles McKinley High football program was returned.
The Niles Frontliners on Thursday issued a statement saying that the $21,090.34 had been recovered in full.
According to the release, the funds had previously been improperly withdrawn from the Frontliners account. Documents in the case have been turned over to the Niles Police Department, according to the statement.
No information was provided regarding who was involved in the improper handling of the money, or how the money was recovered. Phone calls seeking additional information were not returned.
The release does state that James Mullen resigned as president of the Frontliners on Aug. 15 and was later replaced by Joseph Matig. Scott Paden has since been elected vice president, filling Matig's previous position.
"The Frontliners have implemented new financial safeguards to prevent any recurrence of this incident," the release states.
Niles city Prosecutor Terry Swauger on Thursday said that he expects to consult with Niles detectives on the matter as early as today.
"Once they evaluate all the information, they will determine whether or not they feel charges can be filed," Swauger said. "They can also consult with me if they have questions, or they can determine that they need to gather additional information before proceeding any further."
Swauger said he has yet to see the documents presented by the Frontliners to the police department. He stressed that even though money has been returned, it does not lessen the chances that charges will be filed.
"I would anticipate upcoming charges as long as there is sufficient evidence," Swauger said.
Frontliners officers discovered money was missing from their account in mid-August. In an Aug. 26 email, Niles City Schools Superintendent Marc Robinson informed board members that he had learned about the incident earlier that day.
At the time, Robinson said that he hoped to work directly with the Frontliners in an effort to resolve the situation.
"Even though this is not a school account and this money is not directly tied to the district or its taxpayers, we are concerned as a school district," Robinson said. "The money raised ultimately helps children in our district, so I want to sit down with the leadership of this organization and get all the facts."
Thursday's statement by the Frontliners stressed that the missing money was not in any way related to the ongoing efforts by the REIN Committee to renovate Bo Rein Stadium.