Texas high school coach allegedly spent $5k at strip club on district card

A former Texas coach, JD Bales, faced arrest for alleged theft of property on December 15, accused of using a school district credit card at a Houston strip club, as reported by the Wise County Messenger.

Bales, previously an assistant soccer coach at Bridgeport High School in Wise County, resigned in September after the school district discovered he purportedly spent $5,455.81 at The Men’s Club of Houston during a coaching clinic.

Initially claiming the charges were fraudulent, Bales reimbursed the district, but evidence uncovered by the police suggested criminal activity.

Bridgeport Police Chief Steve Stanford forwarded the case, involving taxpayer money, to the Wise County District Attorney.

Subsequently, a Wise County grand jury indicted Bales, leading to his arrest. He was released on a $10,000 bond the following day.

Bales, hired in 2018 as an assistant soccer coach and special education teacher, had resigned, a decision deemed in the best interest of Bridgeport ISD and its athletic program, according to statements from the district.