Former Monte Vista Baseball Coach Sentenced for Stealing Team Funds

On Tuesday, former baseball coach Larry Rinehart was sentenced to serve 240 days in jail after his earlier this month on embezzlement charges stemming from his mismanagement of team funds.

Rinehart, 59, of El Cajon, coached the Monarchs from 2003 to 2007. He was found guilty on two felony counts of stealing $16,000 in team monies and using it to gamble at local county casinos.

El Cajon Judge Lantz Lewis also sentenced Rinehart to five years probation and ordered him to take anti-theft classes, and to stay out of casinos.

Lewis told Rinehart he "abused his position of trust" with "repeated acts of deceit."

Though Rinehart did not speak during the sentencing, his attorney read aloud a statement: "To the community, students, administration and staff of Monte Vista High School, I apologize to all of you for betraying your trust."

Prior to his arrest, Rinehart taught accounting, money matters and
personal finance classes at Helix High School.

He was ordered to pay back the stolen money in increments of at least $100 per month. At that rate it will take 41 years for Monte Vista to get re-paid in full.

City News Service contributed to this story.