HIGHLANDS COUNTY, Fla. — A long-time Florida youth football coach, Ivory Bernard Williams, has been arrested and charged with stealing more than $57,000 from his team’s accounts for personal use, the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office reports.
Williams, 56, of Lake Placid, served as president of the board and had sole access to the team’s finances. Detectives began investigating in February after receiving tips about suspicious spending and Williams’ refusal to share financial records with the board.
On May 27, he was arrested and charged with second-degree grand theft and failure to maintain proper records for a charitable organization. He was released the next day after posting a $70,000 bond.
Investigators uncovered troubling financial activity in two bank accounts under the team’s name. Between February 2022 and February 2025, a total of $89,994.84 in donations had been collected. Of that, $57,014.13 was misappropriated by Williams.
Records show purchases for streaming and gaming subscriptions, cable bills, the TikTok shop, and a $3,600 check written to himself. He also made more than $21,500 in ATM withdrawals.
The team’s original bank account was overdrawn by over $1,500 and eventually closed. A second account, opened in February 2024, saw over $36,000 in deposits but continued to fund personal expenses.
During Williams’ tenure, the team lost its nonprofit status. In December 2024, a new nonprofit was registered under the name “Highlands County Chargers Football and Cheer.”
Authorities are also investigating other organizations linked to Williams.
