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Lab Band leaders head to trial
By Alexander Rich, Staff Writer
Monday, November 02, 2009 | No comments posted.
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Nov 02: Lab Band leaders head to trial
COQUILLE — The founder of Oregon Coast Lab Band and his wife plan to fight charges they stole from the nonprofit organization.
The two, Greg and Patricia Young, appeared in Coos County Circuit Court this morning before Judge Michael Gillespie, who set a trial for Feb. 10-11.
The Youngs were arraigned Sept. 21, each on charges including three counts of aggravated first-degree theft and four counts of first-degree theft. At a previous hearing, the Coos County District Attorney’s Office offered to dismiss four of the seven charges in exchange for a guilty plea, but the Youngs declined the offer.
The courtroom was full for today’s hearing, so much so that the defendants had to stand in the hallway before the hearing. Several members of the lab band and their parents attended, along with several current Lab Band board members, including President Ray Sanford.
Greg Young’s court-appointed attorney Allen Goldman said he intends to file for a change of venue given the media coverage in the case.
The charges date from January 2005 until August 2008, when Greg Young resigned as the Lab Band’s director. Deputy District Attorney Oubonh White declined to say how much money went missing, but the charging guidelines in state statutes suggest at least $33,000 was taken.
Young’s resignation came after Lab Band board members found discrepancies in financial records. Greg Young, who founded the organization in the 1990s, handled the Lab Band’s accounts, along with his wife.
The Oregon Department of Justice and North Bend police completed their investigations in June.
Young hasn’t spoken to the media about the case, but he shared some of his thoughts in a letter of resignation addressed to Lab Band students and parents.
“My actions showed total lack of respect for everything I have tried to teach your kids, and I will have to live with that regret for the rest of my life,” he wrote.
The Lab Band has continued to operate under the direction of several local musicians, including Mike Turner and Ida Jo Gates.
The two, Greg and Patricia Young, appeared in Coos County Circuit Court this morning before Judge Michael Gillespie, who set a trial for Feb. 10-11.
The Youngs were arraigned Sept. 21, each on charges including three counts of aggravated first-degree theft and four counts of first-degree theft. At a previous hearing, the Coos County District Attorney’s Office offered to dismiss four of the seven charges in exchange for a guilty plea, but the Youngs declined the offer.
The courtroom was full for today’s hearing, so much so that the defendants had to stand in the hallway before the hearing. Several members of the lab band and their parents attended, along with several current Lab Band board members, including President Ray Sanford.
Greg Young’s court-appointed attorney Allen Goldman said he intends to file for a change of venue given the media coverage in the case.
The charges date from January 2005 until August 2008, when Greg Young resigned as the Lab Band’s director. Deputy District Attorney Oubonh White declined to say how much money went missing, but the charging guidelines in state statutes suggest at least $33,000 was taken.
Young’s resignation came after Lab Band board members found discrepancies in financial records. Greg Young, who founded the organization in the 1990s, handled the Lab Band’s accounts, along with his wife.
The Oregon Department of Justice and North Bend police completed their investigations in June.
Young hasn’t spoken to the media about the case, but he shared some of his thoughts in a letter of resignation addressed to Lab Band students and parents.
“My actions showed total lack of respect for everything I have tried to teach your kids, and I will have to live with that regret for the rest of my life,” he wrote.
The Lab Band has continued to operate under the direction of several local musicians, including Mike Turner and Ida Jo Gates.
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