Fairfield Football Coach Accused Of Stealing Money From Team Speaks Out After Charges Dropped
FAIRFIELD (CBS13) — A Fairfield football coach accused of taking money meant for his own team is breaking his silence after prosecutors dropped the charges, pending further investigation.
Levon Haynes wanted to thank his supporters, and to tell his team he hasn't abandoned them. He says he's an innocent man who just wants to get back to his life with his team and his family.
"It has been a little stressful," he said.
His wife, Stephanie, put it less delicately.
"Hell. Pure Hell," she said.
The longtime Vanden High football coach can't be on the sidelines or even attend his team's home games while he's on paid leave.
"Those kids are like sons to me," he said. "Every Friday night, I say a special prayer for them to do their very best."
Fairfield Police arrested Haynes in late August on accusations he stole thousands of dollars from athletic fundraisers of money meant for his own team—a team he's coached for decades at a school he once attended.
The coach's layer, Jerry Fillingim, and his spiritual advisor, Bishop Jackson, both insisted the evidence will prove there isn't a penny missing or misused.
"Coach Haynes has committed his life to these kids and to this school and it's just a travesty that after 21 years coaching, that they would do this to him," the lawyer said.
The Solano County District Attorney's Office announced in mid-September that it would not file charges, pending further investigation. They say the case is still pending.
Fairfield Police didn't return CBS13's calls for the story. A Travis Unified School District spokesperson said it can't comment on a personnel matter.
The coach's lawyer has offered to bring in an accountant to sit down with investigators to prove, in his words, no money is missing.
Charges could still be filed, but it's unclear what prosecutors' intentions are.
