Ex-Niles boosters president pleads not guilty to $21K theft

NILES — James Mullen, accused of stealing more than $21,000 from the boosters club he headed as president, will face a preliminary hearing on a felony theft charge Nov. 21.

Mullen, 45, of Girard, had his attorney enter a written not-guilty plea today at Niles Municipal Court, and he remains free on bond.

Mullen is accused of writing unauthorized checks from the account of the Niles Frontliners, a booster group for the McKinley High School Red Dragons football team.

The group said Mullen made restitution in full last week. Mullen resigned after the Frontliners’ treasurer discovered the money was missing.