PANAMA CITY — Former Gulf Coast State College head softball coach Susan Painter turned herself in to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office late Thursday on a charge of grand theft.
The BCSO issued a warrant for Painter’s arrest earlier this week after an investigation revealed alleged theft from Gulf Coast softball players of close to $10,000. Interviews with players, Painter’s co-workers and examination of her bank account records led to Painter being charged, a BCSO press release stated.
Grand theft of between $5,000-10,000 is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Painter made her first appearance on Friday.
Painter, 52, allegedly required the school’s 20 players to pay $300 apiece for a trip to Nevada to open last season, the investigation noted. However, all trips are fully funded by the school and players’ airline tickets, hotel accommodations and meal money are subsidized. The investigation also alleged Painter accepted rent payments from two players on “full scholarships” who lived in apartments close to campus.
Former GC assistant coach Ryann Ellingsworth also was part of the investigation. When questioned by BCSO investigator Craig Romans, Ellingsworth confirmed Painter handled all financial and travel arrangements and Ellingsworth said she turned over all rent money to Painter. Ellingsworth had not been charged, as of Friday.
Ellingsworth, 32, and Painter did not have their contracts renewed in a decision by the GC Board of Trustees on May 8. Painter was in her 20th season as fastpitch head coach and Ellingsworth in her second as an assistant.
Painter has a career record of 895-335 at GC and led the Lady Commodores to six Panhandle Conference championships, three state titles and three runner-up finishes in the national tournament.