Former Gwinnett track coach accused of stealing booster funds
Police say former coach spent stolen booster funds on travel
Former Parkview High School track coach Matthew Henson is accused of stealing $65,000 from a booster club, according to police. Investigators say Henson used a booster account debit card and checkbook to fund personal travel and subscriptions.
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A former Parkview High School teacher and track coach has been arrested after investigators accused him of stealing about $65,000 from the school's track and field booster club over a seven-year period.
What we know:
Matthew Henson, 52, was arrested Aug. 5 on a felony charge of theft by taking. According to an arrest warrant, Henson is accused of stealing about $65,000 from the Parkview Track & Field Booster Club between Jan. 1, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2025.
Matthew Henson (Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office)
The arrest followed a months-long investigation that began after parents and community members raised concerns about possible financial mismanagement within the booster club.
What they're saying:
During a Thursday news conference, Gwinnett County Public Schools officials said they immediately launched an internal audit and contacted law enforcement after learning of the allegations. District leaders thanked those who came forward, saying their willingness to report concerns helped investigators complete the case.
"We were able to complete the months-long investigation and make the arrest of a suspect who is accused of taking the hard-earned money of people who were donating it to the booster club," Parkview High Principal David Smith said.
Smith said he was disappointed by the allegations but praised parents, district staff and investigators for acting quickly.
"Although I am deeply disappointed and troubled by these allegations, I am proud of the swift and responsible actions taken by our school, district leaders, and law enforcement," Smith said.
He also thanked the parents who reported their concerns.
"Their courage, diligence, and willingness to speak up allowed district officials and law enforcement to investigate the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action," he said.
Bernard Watson, media relations director for Gwinnett County Public Schools, underscored the burden financial misconduct places on families who support school programs.
"People work hard for their money, and they shouldn’t have to worry about losing it because of someone doing inappropriate things," said Bernard Watson, media relations director for Gwinnett County Public Schools.
Booster club funds, not school money
Dig deeper:
District officials stressed that the money involved was not Gwinnett County Public Schools funding.
Instead, they said the funds belonged to the Parkview Track & Field Booster Club, an independent nonprofit organization that supports student-athletes but operates separately from the school district.
"These organizations, booster clubs, are not run by the school district. We do not oversee them," Smith said, noting that booster clubs are still required to follow district accounting guidelines and financial documentation requirements.
Officials said the district has begun reviewing its oversight of booster clubs and plans to strengthen training for booster club volunteers to reinforce financial accountability and transparency.
Greg Johnson, the district's executive director of budget strategy and risk, said existing accounting procedures were in place but were apparently not followed.
"If those requirements were being done by the track and field booster club, this situation likely would not have occurred," Johnson said.
Following the investigation, district officials said they are working to prevent similar incidents in the future by "increasing the oversight that those requirements are happening at each booster club," Johnson said.
Investigation began last year
The backstory:
After receiving tips through the district's hotline and internal audit department, investigators immediately opened a criminal investigation last October and later expanded audits to determine whether similar issues existed within other booster organizations across the district.
It was revealed that Henson used a debit card and a checkbook associated with the booster account for various things, including travel and subscription services.
"Case of financial crimes gets very complex, and so as we were looking into it, with multiple search warrants, one thing led to another. It kept compounding and it grew," said Gwinnett School Police Interim Chief Mary Williford. "As we finished up one aspect, we would learn another area."
According to Gwinnett County Jail records, Henson was booked early Wednesday morning and released later that afternoon after posting an $11,200 bond.
Henson left Parkview High School at the end of the last school year. He was also inducted into the Georgia Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2025.
At this time, no money has been returned to the booster club.
District officials said they hope the outcome of the investigation serves as a clear warning to others.
"If there are questions about how money is being used inappropriately, they will be investigated and police will take action," said Watson.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not disclosed the exact amount of money Henson is accused of taking beyond stating it exceeds $25,000.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The Source: Information in this report was gathered from Gwinnett County Jail records, Superior Court arrest warrants, a letter to parents from Parkview High School Principal David Smith, and a press conference hosted by district officials and school police.