A former gymnastics coach for the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority who was acquitted of theft charges by a jury has filed a federal lawsuit against the authority, Executive Director Richard Garland, the City of Rome and Floyd County for malicious prosecution.

In her lawsuit — filed in U.S. District Court in Rome on Friday — Karen Arm­strong said Garland and others acting his behalf “made statements to authorities that were knowingly false or, in the alternative, were made with a reckless disregard to the truth or falsity of the statements.”

Armstrong was acquitted of theft charges after a weeklong trial in March 2012.

According to her lawsuit, Armstrong, a coach for more than 30 years, began working for the RFPRA in December 2007.

She collected money from parents for a separate team, called the “Flip City” team, and deposited the funds into her account to pay for team expenses. 

Garland reported to Rome police that Arm­strong had misappropriated funds from parents by personally accepting money instead of running it through the RFPRA books. 

Armstrong said in her suit that, despite the fact she accounted for all of the money, Garland manipulated the investigation by withholding information and evidence.