State's Witness Backtracks in Golf Pro Trial
A former golf pro assistant at Clustered Spires was the state’s first and only witness today in the trial of Don Frost, who is charged with stealing from the City of Frederick. Frost was fired in May 2015, and charged with two counts of theft schemes between 2006 and 2012, totaling over $30,000.
Gary Chapman worked for Clustered Spires from 2000 to 2007, and said he had a good relationship with Frost. He told the court that Frost kept a box for cash and checks made out to him in a box behind the cash register at the Clustered Spires’ pro shop. The money collected came from grips, putting the grips on golf clubs, and golf clinics. During questioning from Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Shoemaker, Chapman said Frost pocketed the money once or twice a week.
However, during cross examination by Alan Winik of Leroux & Winik, Frost’s attorney, Chapman said that he and two other assistants were paid from that fund for regripping golf clubs, a service offered by the golf course. Chapman said he often left I.O.U.s in the box, and would pay himself out of the fund.
During the police investigation of Frost in 2015, Frederick City Police Det. Steven Petruzzello noted that Chapman told him that Clustered Spires purchased 1,500 to 2,000 grips annually at a cost of $8 - $10 per grip. Under oath today, Chapman said that was an error, and that he had told Det. Petruzello that Clustered Spires bought $1,500 to $2,000 worth of grips each year.
Chapman also testified that he filed a formal complaint against Frost in 2007 because of issues with his management style, but said he did not know that the city had investigated his claim and issued a report from its Management Review Panel.
Winik asked him twice if he was promised Frost’s job if Frost was fired, and Chapman answered “no.”
Chapman, who lives in Louisiana, told the court that the state paid for his travel and hotel accommodations, but he did not the exact cost.
In opening statements, Assistant State's Attorney Joyce King told the jury that Frost was "a white collar criminal" who violated the trust his employers had in him, as well as the law. According to King, Clustered Spires made $15,000 selling golf grips over six years, and received only $31 revenue.
Frost's attorney Stephen Leroux asked the jury to pay attention to the why, where, when and how of the state's case against Frost. The state, he said, came to conclusions based on scant details because they cannot place numbers, times or values on their allegations. "They will distract you with a parade of witnesses," he said.
The state plans to call about 30 witnesses in the trial, which is expected to last between five and seven days
During the morning of the first day of Frost’s trial, attorneys selected a jury from a pool of 104 potential jurors. Chapman took the stand around 2:45 p.m., and was finished at 4 p.m. The trial continues at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
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