More than six weeks after Valencia High baseball head coach Jared Snyder took a leave of absence after accusations of financial impropriety were made against him, the Hart district is still conducting an audit to assess the situation, according to law enforcement officials.

Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking Santa Clarita news alerts delivered right to your inbox.

A preliminary report indicated there could be some financial impropriety, according to a Hart district source close to the situation, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to discuss the matter with the media.

Related article: Valencia High Baseball Coach Jared Snyder Takes Leave Of Absence

However, there’s a difference between an unethical use of funds and a violation of law, said Sgt. Dave Chambers of the Sheriff’s Department’s Fraud and Cyber Crimes Bureau.

“Ethical violations are not necessarily criminal violations,” Chambers said, noting a more thorough audit of the situation is currently under way by school officials, as a follow up to the initial allegations made public by parents back in March.

Snyder did not return a message left Friday.

“The school district is going to let us know when and if they have something that is criminal,” Chambers said. “If it does turn into a criminal (case), and it very well could be, then we will look into it.”

Hart district officials said Snyder is still on a leave of absence, and “the district is still actively investigating.”

“Sometimes these things take a month, sometimes they take three months,” Chambers said of the audit. “(Hart district officials) are not going to dawdle.”

Michael Killinger is assuming the Valencia High School head baseball coaching responsibilities in Snyder’s absence, according to officials.

FROM AN EARLIER STORY

Snyder has been with the school since 1998, according to Valencia High School’s website.

“Snyder, a Nichols State alumnus (1993), has built Valencia into one of the perennial powers in Southern California,” the site states. “He has taken probably one of the worst facilities in California and turned it into one of the top in the nation.”

Under his guidance, Valencia High has won eight Foothill League titles. In 2006, the Vikings set school records for both overall wins (25) and league wins (14).

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at [email protected].

[node:title]

Article: [node:title]
Source: Santa Clarita News
Author: [node:author]