Coatesville school trials on hold

The criminal trials of two former Coatesville school administrators charged with misusing district funds will not begin as scheduled on Friday.

The trial is still in the discovery phase, and documents are being gathered, the district attorneys assigned to prosecute the cases said. Delays are not unusual in criminal cases.

Richard Como, the former superintendent of the Coatesville Area School District, faces 47 counts of theft and state ethics violations. He is accused of nepotism in hiring practices and diverting school district funds to pay for high school championship football rings.

James Donato, the high school's former athletic director, faces 139 counts of theft and state ethics violations. He is accused of stealing thousands of dollars for personal purchases and to pay down gambling debts.

The arrests of Como and Donato in December came after an 18-month investigation by the Chester County District Attorney's Office into school district finances and management.

- Michaelle Bond