VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Shocking allegations about a fundraiser meant to help the family of a Vancouver teacher killed in a hit and run. Police say some of the money raised may have been used to bail out the suspect in the case.
Charging documents were released Friday morning against 18-year-old Mallory Ewart, who organized the fundraiser.
The money was supposed to benefit the family of Gordon Patterson, a popular high school science teacher killed while riding his bike in September. Instead, it's alleged most of the money went to bail out Antonio Cellestine, the man accused of hitting patterson.
The allegations were based on recorded phone conversations between Ewart and the hit-and-run suspect Antonio Cellestine. All phone conversations with inmates are recorded at the jail.
According to the charging papers, Ewart organized a car wash fundraiser outside Benny's restaurant in Vancouver.
"The jailhouse phone call essentially said that yes she was telling him about her plan to use this money to post bail, said Vancouver prosecutor Kevin McClure.
Much of the money raised at the benefit came from Patterson's church congregation which is across the street from the car wash benefit.
Members are upset and disappointed.
Ewart's father said there is much misinformation about his daughter, but would not elaborate. His daughter is charged with theft by deception and will face a judge on Tuesday.
Cellestine is back in jail after violating conditions of his bail.
