Pickering issues $11k demand against Alonzo Stevens

Published 3:56 pm Monday, June 15, 2015

A civil demand for more than $11,000 has been issued against former Vicksburg High School football coach and sitting school board member Alonzo Stevens.

State Auditor Stacey Pickering issued the demand in the amount of $11,756.89 to Alonzo Stevens.

The amount represents $6,237.39 in principal, $1,203.06 interest and $4,316.44 in investigative costs, according to Pickering’s office.

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It was unclear in the demand what the funds were intended for or how they were apparently misappropriated.

“It is very unfortunate when those responsible for taking care of our student benefit funds fail to use the funds for their intended purposes,” Pickering said in his announcement. “I have stated before and reiterate, my office will continue to work hard to identify funds that were misappropriated or mishandled and return the funds to the deserving entities.”

Reached by text message late Monday night, Stevens said, “At the advice of my attorney I have no comment.”

Stevens was head coach of the Vicksburg Gators from 2001 to 2011. He retired from Vicksburg Warren School district in May 2012 before launching a successful campaign for school board in 2012, beating six-term board member Zelmarine Murphy.

Stevens had 30 years’ experience as a teacher and coach for the VWSD. He also taught and coached at Alcorn State University for eight years. Stevens is also the District 6 West Central Area representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

School Board president Bryan Pratt, vice president James Stirgus, Jr. and member Sally Bullard declined to comment.