Cops seek witnesses in basketball coach probe

Maricopa Police Department is soliciting reports from parent-victims in connection with the Maricopa Unified School District investigation of former high school basketball coach Jason Royal.

A report from a Mesa law firm alleges Royal paid himself $4,283 in booster club funds and violated district policy with an unauthorized fundraiser.

“Currently, MPD has not received an official report from a potential victim, which is needed to start a criminal investigation,” MPD spokesperson Monica Williams told InMaricopa today. “MPD is ready, willing and able to investigate the allegations once they are officially reported to our department.”

Affected parties can contact MPD Sgt. Pamela O’Neal at [email protected].

MUSD discovered what district officials and investigators allege to be “mishandling” and “missing funds collected by” Royal.