Former H.W. Byers athletic director arrested for alleged embezzlement

• Nick Coln, the former athletic director for H.W. Byers, was arrested by the State Auditor’s office.
• Coln is accused of embezzling funds from student athletes intended for athletic equipment.
• The former director allegedly used CashApp to collect funds from students and then converted the money for his personal use.

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JACKSON, Miss. – Special Agents from the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor have arrested Nick Coln, the former H.W. Byers school athletic director, on embezzlement charges, State Auditor Shad White announced on Oct. 30.

Coln is accused of collecting funds from student athletes through CashApp, which were designated for purchasing athletic equipment. An investigation alleges Coln then converted those funds for his own personal use.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy for theft of taxpayer money at the Auditor’s Office,” said State Auditor Shad White. “Thank you to our investigators who helped uncover this scheme.”

If convicted, Coln faces up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. All persons arrested by the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office by calling 1-800-321-1275 or visiting the auditor’s website at www.osa.ms.gov.