SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI — A travel agent plead guilty in federal court on Wednesday to stealing $360,000 from the Willard High School Band Boosters, which resulted in the cancellation of a trip to Hawaii for more than 300 students and chaperones, officials said.
This is the third high school band that Calliope R. Saaga, also known as “Ope,” 40, of Saratoga Springs, Utah, has duped, according to a report by K3 TV in Springfield, Missouri.
Officials said Thursday that Saaga plead guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to one count of wire fraud involving the $360,000 theft.
Saaga booked no reservations as required in the contract. Instead, as he received wire transfers from the band boosters, Saaga used the funds to finance his personal lifestyle, including at least 47 days spent gambling in Las Vegas, Nev.
Authorities said Saaga, doing business as Present America Tours, LLC, contracted with the Willard High School Band Boosters in January 2011 to provide travel arrangements for a June 2012 band trip to Hawaii. Saaga was responsible for booking airfare, lodging, transportation, meals, tours, and travel insurance for more than 300 students and chaperones.
The Willard High School Band Boosters wired 12 payments of $30,000 each to Saaga between February 2011 and January 2012.
While he was spending the money of the Willard High School Band Boosters to finance his personal lifestyle, Saaga transmitted e-mails about details of the trip to the Willard High School director of bands, which lulled the band boosters into believing that their trip to Hawaii was on schedule, according to authorities.
Saaga is facing up to 20 years in prison. His sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled, officials said.