Trisha Lynn Smith in court
Trisha Lynn Smith (L) appears for her initial court arraignment over misuse of booster club funds. (Photo: WKYC 3 Cleveland B-Roll extraction)

STARK COUNTY, Ohio -- Trisha Lynn Smith, a resident of Lake Township, was present in Stark County Common Pleas Court today to be formally charged for her alleged role in misappropriating funds amounting to around $70,000 during her tenure as treasurer and youth director of booster clubs. 

Smith stood before Common Pleas Court Judge Taryn Heath, accompanied by her legal counsel, and entered a not guilty plea during her initial court appearance. She is facing charges that include: using a telecommunications device to commit fraud, twice obtaining access to a credit card to defraud as security for a debt, committing theft of $7,500 to $150,000 from the Lady Vikings Basketball Booster Club, and committing theft of $1,000 to $7,5000 against the North Canton Cheerleading Parent Association, according to court documents.

Her upcoming court appearance is a pretrial hearing set for July 28 at 8:30 a.m.