PARIS – Supporters of a former SAD 43 athletic director charged with embezzling more than $86,000 from the district turned out in force at his sentencing hearing Thursday morning.

Timothy J. McInnis, 53, of Rumford, pleaded guilty to the felony theft charge in Oxford County Superior Court in Paris.

Judge Ellen Gorman sentenced McInnis to two years in jail, which was all suspended.

She placed McInnis on 18 months probation and ordered him to pay restitution of $86,841.89 to SAD 43 that day.

But, when he attempted to do so, with a personal check, he was informed that the court doesn’t accept personal checks, said prosecuting Assistant District Attorney Joseph O’Connor.

O’Connor said McInnis was then allowed to pay the money with a bank check in the next week or two.

Gorman also ordered McInnis to perform 20 hours of public service work for each week he is on probation.

“The judge said she hoped he’d do tutoring, or teaching-related work. He’s been doing that for people so that they can get their GEDs,” O’Connor said, referring to the General Education Development certificate as a high school diploma.

McInnis, who was indicted March 20 by an Oxford County grand jury on a charge of felony theft, was employed by SAD 43 for more than 30 years. He was the district’s athletic director for the last 17 years. He was accused of taking the money from 2000 to 2003.

McInnis was placed on administrative leave in mid-January after school officials reportedly found discrepancies in his athletic department account. He resigned Feb. 2.

About 50 people attended Thursday’s hearing, which was continued from Nov. 21.

After McInnis pleaded guilty, Gorman read 14 letters of support for McInnis, which the court received on Dec. 17.

The letters from co-workers and friends and a group counselor, provided detailed background and insight into McInnis’ life and tenure at SAD 43 as an athletic director and math instructor.

Group counselor Deborah A. Moran wrote that she worked with McInnis after he entered a four-week intensive rehab for a gambling compulsion and alcohol addition on Jan. 19, at Central Maine Counseling Services.

Thomas E. Rowe, McInnis’ former supervising principal at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford and friend for more than 20 years, stated that McInnis accepted full responsibility for his actions.

“All that knew Tim, must share in the blame of his downfall,” Rowe wrote.

“No one in SAD 43 doubted that Tim had an alcohol problem, and no one doubted that he had a gambling addiction, yet everyone sat back and waited for the inevitable,” he stated.

“I am disappointed in what he did, and even a little angry, but I love the man, and would do anything for him. He is what I would have liked to be as a parent and as a friend to all students,” Rowe said.

Others present also spoke about the redeeming qualities of McInnis, his work with thousands of SAD 43 students and of his value to the community.

McInnis himself, also spoke, taking responsibility for his actions. He admitted having gambling and alcohol addictions.

O’Connor said he was pleased to see McInnis do that.

“So often we see people get up and say, Oh, I’m a victim, and someone should have stopped me.’ I’m totally comfortable with the judge’s sentence,” he said.