Former Christian County football coach and athletic director Steve Lovelace was ordered to pay over $14,000 in restitution stemming from the theft of funds from the football team and high school.
Lovelace entered an Alford plea to amended charges – two misdemeanor counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of property – in November. An Alford plea is where the defendant does not admit guilt but concedes there is enough evidence for a conviction.
Lovelace is charged with converting funds from the football booster club and the high school for personal use.
Lovelace was represented by David Bundrick, who told Circuit Judge John Atkins that the former coach could pay the restitution at $500 a month or take out a loan and pay the full amount quicker.
click to download audioGraves County Commonwealth’s Attorney Richie Kemp was appointed special prosecutor in the case at the request of former Christian County Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Bolen.
Kemp said Christian County School Board Attorney Jack Lackey and the board signed off on the agreement to amend the felony charges to misdemeanors and approved the conditional discharge when Lovelace had paid back the restitution.
click to download audioJudge Atkins agreed with the recommendation of restitution followed by a dismissal of the charges.
click to download audioLovelace was indicted by a grand jury in June 2021 – three months after he resigned as both football coach and athletic director. He was 100-67 in 14 seasons as Colonel head coach and led Christian County to Class 5A state championship game appearances in 2008 and 2010.
Since leaving Christian County, Lovelace has been employed as an assistant football coach at Paducah Tilghman High School.
