Former Monte Vista Coach Must Stand Trial On Embezzlement Charges

Former baseball coach Larry Rinehart will stand trail on three felony counts stemming from his handling of funds raised by the team's booster club during his 5-year stint heading the Monarchs program.  

Rinehart, 59, who resigned from his teaching position at Helix Charter High School just prior to his indictment, is accused of and charged with grand theft of personal property, grand theft by an employee, and fraudulent appropriation by an employee.  

San Diego Superior Court Judge Lantz Lewis ruled there was sufficient evidence following Tuesday's preliminary hearing, which lasted more than four hours after the District Attorney's office offered more than 100 pieces of evidence.  

Included was a statement allegedly signed by Rinehart noting the embezzlement of more than $15,000 from a bank ATM, most of it gambled away at area casinos, according to a statement read in court by Chris Jensen, a private investigator working the case.  

However, Lewis dismissed grand theft charged against Rinehart's wife, Margaret, 57. 

Ironically, Larry Rinehart taught business-related courses including accounting, money matters and personal finance, including a section on business ethics at Helix. He coached at Monte Vista from 2003-07, but the accusation of stealing from the Grossmont Union High School District ranges only from Jan. 1, 2005 to July 17, 2007.  

He faces a maximum up to three years in state prison if convicted, said Deputy District Attorney Daniel Shim. Lewis has yet to set a trial date.