Former CLS Coach Arrested for Fraud, Theft

Crystal Lake South High School Athletic Director and Varsity Football Coach James K. Stuglis, 41, was arrested Oct. 14 on 10 counts of felony theft and three counts of felony computer fraud.

According to a Crystal Lake Police report, police were first notified by District 155 officials March 24 concerning an initial allegation of theft of Crystal Lake South High School funds when a large sum of money was found secreted within Stuglis' office.

According to the report, as the investigation unfolded the evidence indicated that Stuglis had misappropriated thousands of dollars over several years, which included money collected from a vending machine and a fundraising program that were never accounted for or reported to District 155 officials.

The investigation also revealed that Stuglis withheld money from various athletic playoff games by reporting a lower number of actual spectators in attendance than actually were present. The lower attendance numbers were then reported to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) by electronically filing them via the Internet. Stuglis is alleged to have then exercised unauthorized control over the cash proceeds from ticket sales that were under reported to the IHSA, according to police.

Stuglis surrendered himself voluntarily to police with his attorney, was processed and released from custody after posting 10 percent of a $40,000 bond.

Stuglis resigned from his position as Athletic Director and Head Varsity Football Coach of Crystal Lake South High School in June. Stuglis, formerly of Crystal Lake, now resides in Frankfort, Illinois.

Stuglis court date is scheduled for Oct. 27 at the McHenry County Courthouse in Woodstock.

These charges stemmed from a six-month investigation by the Crystal Lake Police Department, the Illinois State Police and the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office in cooperation with school officials from the Community High School District 155.