The state auditor has concluded a former drama instructor at a Cedar Rapids high school mishandled thousands of dollars that was entrusted to him. The parents of students who were part of the Cedar Rapids Kennedy stage productions set up a checking account for Drama Department Director Marc Hammes.
The audit found Hammes had failed to deposit about $11,000 worth of ticket sales and about $700 worth of profits from concession sales at high school drama performances. The audit also found Hammes withdrew nearly $900 in cash from ATMs and wrote himself checks totaling more than $1,000.
He also made several improper purchases according to auditors. For example, he spent over $200 at a sports bar and another $170 to buy tickets to a Broadway show. School officials fired Hammes this summer.