FAMU women’s basketball assistant arrested on grand theft charges

06 November 2017 , 22:21

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FAMU women’s basketball assistant arrested on grand theft charges

Florida A&M women’s basketball assistant coach Terrance Chatman was arrested Monday after he deposited a $5,000 check meant for the men’s basketball team into his personal account. 

According to police documents, on June 7 Chatman deposited a $5,000 check written by Scott Howard, who called men’s coach Robert McCullum to confirm the check was received. When it wasn’t, Howard wrote another check on June 28, which was deposited by the FAMU Foundation. 

Howard received notice his account was overdrawn by $5,000 after the second check was cashed, according to the report. 

On Thursday, after a months-long investigation, FAMU police received video footage from Regions Bank of a suspect matching Chatman’s description depositing the check into a an ATM on South Monroe Street. 

A warrant was issued Friday; Chatman was arrested Monday. 

Chatman was placed on administrative leave "a week or so ago," according to women’s basketball head coach LeDawn Gibson. She added she was "shocked" to hear about the charges.

Gibson said she’s never dealt with a situation like this before. 

The university released a statement Monday evening saying Chatman has been fired. 

Here’s the full statement from the university:

"Today’s arrest of Terrance Chatman, Florida A&M University’s former assistant women’s basketball coach, concludes an investigation that was launched immediately after FAMU Athletics was contacted by a supporter. It was alleged that Mr. Chatman cashed a $5,000 check that was donated to FAMU’s Men’s Basketball Team.

"FAMU Athletics forwarded the donor’s claim to FAMU’s Department of Campus Safety and Security and placed Mr. Chatman on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Mr. Chatman is charged with grand theft and fraud-uttering a false instrument in connection with the allegations.

"The University holds employees accountable for following university policies and procedures and has terminated Chatman’s employment."

Emma Davis