"But does that mean we abandon the youth sports leagues? Yet watchdogs of the nonprofit industry note that youth sports organizations rarely put in place routine checks and balances, such as having multiple people in charge of the money, opening the door to fraud. Xavier Henson was killed when the semi he was driving, which was pulling a tanker, overturned and caught fire. But on Dec. 9, 2014, Kents Little League president, Greg Whitcomb, went to an Office Depot and tried to use the leagues A.T.M. He and his wife, Sheri, have two sons: Sam (23) and Max (20). "We were all rooting for you. Based on the financial reports he had been receiving from Mr. Baker, Mr. Whitcomb believed the league had $227,000 in bank and investment accounts. The clubs leaders were so fearful that an irate parent might charge or assault Mr. Farley that they hired security to maintain order. The purchase was denied. A new treasurer became alarmed, according to the complaint, when she found the organization had approximately $13,000 in the bank when there should've been approximately $130,000. Nationwide, an estimated 1,100 people have gone to prison and an estimated $1 billion has been stolen from youth sports leagues since 2009, according to the League Network. Their case has not come before agrand jury and the two men have not entered pleas but are presumed innocent. There will be food to order at 5 p.m. You can purchase a packet of bingo cards (14 games) for $15. Kelly Beth Alonso-Heath later admitted to police that she had taken the money for personal use and to pay her bills, and is facing up to 20 years in jail per Minnesota state law. Mr. Babayan learned that 80 percent of the clubs money was missing. Youth hockey embezzlement leads to community service By Nick Morgan of the Mail Tribune Mar 19, 2021 07:14 PM. Whitehead's three rules also apply when it comes to the hundreds in cash that parents raise through league-operated snack stand, or smaller fundraisers such as raffles, bake sales or literally passing a can around at league events. Currently, the LFYHA's USA Hockey insurance will cover about half of the $90,000 in losses, leaving around another $40,000 the association will likely never recover. We like to think we have a good community around us, and to have a few bad apples steal from these kids, it's an awful thing, but I'd hate to blame everybody for the few bad apples.". Some leagues have dissolved as a result. With the money being gone now, it makes it impossible to do any of the improvements to the arena and impossible to put a roof over the outdoor sheet of ice that we have, said Carmen Johnson, the LFYH president, who said that the association tries to self-fund arena improvements to prevent increases in the cost of ice time. Diane Miller, Tri-Boros treasurer, and Tino Babayan, the clubs former president, who exposed the embezzlement after learning 80 percent of the organizations money was missing. MORE: Ex-Freehold Soccer League treasurer jailed for theft. A draft version of Dancer's Holbrook bill would require "youth athletic nonprofits" to maintain a website with access to financial statements and tax returns, conduct annual audits, advertise board meetings with five days' notice and keep receipts for cash payments greater than $25. She will then serve 30 days in 2022 and 2023, with both being eligible to be vacated if she is current on restitution payments. The mites will attend 4-5 jamborees. Photos from some of last season's memorable moments! With the money being gone now, it makes it impossible to do any of the improvements to the arena and impossible to put a roof over the outdoor sheet of ice that we have, said Carmen Johnson, the LFYH president, who said that the association tries to self-fund arena improvements to prevent increases in the cost of ice time. A new treasurer or president who is elected to lead a Little League or American Youth Football (AYF) team takes a look at the financials and reports something fishy to law enforcement. Donations to the Little Falls Youth Hockey Association can be made by Venmo at @LittleFalls-YouthHockey or by mail to LFYH, PO Box 91, Little Falls MN 56345. We really appreciate that, said Johnson, who is the mother of four hockey players and the wife of a coach. Such legislation would be a good start, but theres more work to do, Malinowski said. practices during the week and 2-3 games on the weekend. By YHH Staff 09/23/2020, 3:15pm CDT. Charities with less than $50,000 in revenue like 21Shore youth sports leagues can file an annual Form 990-N, a simpler version of the form. If you are able, the association has set up a Venmo account for donations. According to the IRS, youth soccer organization Stafford SC hasn't filed its Form 990 since July 2004. Its very rewarding. Ms. Miller is skeptical. It is the intention of the LFYH to have the practice schedule posted at least a month ahead of time! There is another common thread to many fraud cases in youth sports: the scarcity of people running them, which significantly hampers the necessary oversight. That money gets spent in a variety of ways. The losses are often covered in the form of higher prices to play, and more need for fundraising efforts. This year, the club is thriving, with a growing membership roll. Below is the intention for practices and games for LFYH teams. She will be sentenced next month. Officials with Pop Warner did not return an email seeking comment. Many affluent organizations have turned to paying the officers of their boards of directors as an incentive to serve. The high school team needs to raise money quick or their season is over. "Somebody questions something," Malinowski said. We will provide any child every opportunity to play the great sport of hockey. Investigators say embezzlement cases in youth sports have become common, as was the case when a Tri-Boro treasurer stole $120,000 from the organizations bank accounts. But tax deductions are only valid if the nonprofit files an annual Form 990, which outlines revenue, expenses, board members and salaries. When comparing old meeting minutes to the banking records, the president foundAlonso-Heath reported much higher account balances than what was actually available. More than $90,000 was embezzled from a Minnesota youth hockey association, and the group's treasurer has been charged with stealing the funds and using the money on personal expenses. LITTLE FALLS, Minn. (FOX 9) - The former treasurer of a youth hockey organization in Little Falls, Minnesota has been charged with stealing more than $90,000 from the nonprofit over. "Failure to do so can result in a loss of charter with Little League International," said Kevin Fountain, director of media relations for Little League International. We will provide any child every opportunity to play the great sport of hockey. The money usually goes to the vices gambling and drugs or day-to-day household needs, Malinowski said. We see that you have javascript disabled. What I did was one of the worst examples you could ever set for your children.. "They're not usually business people but youre putting them in charge of running facilities, scholarships and fundraisers. Kelly Beth Alonso-Heath later admitted to police that she had taken the money for personal use and to pay her bills, and is facing up to 20 years in jail per Minnesota state law. Youth Team. Take Holbrook Little League, for example. The IRS only takes action after three years of delinquent forms and there isn't a single youth sports league at the Shore that's had its charity registration revoked by Consumer Affairs, despite 54 leagues currently listed as non-compliant. Peter Odney And if parents wanted to express their concern at a board meeting, they were out of luck. United States Attorney's Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600. The pair worked at a CPAP clinic in St. Louis Park. But keeping the books up-to-date is up to each individual team. LFYH, Attn: Donations, PO BOX 91, Little Falls, MN 56345. Instead, they have sought voluntary donations and have been delighted by the number of people who have been willing to help fill the fiscal hole. According to a criminal complaint, police were alerted to "large sums of money" stolen from the Little Falls Youth Hockey Association "over the last few years." In a close-knit community with fewer than 9,000 residents, the crime came as an unpleasant surprise to just about everyone involved. by | Jun 8, 2022 | Jun 8, 2022 Last year, the president of the Freehold Soccer League learned a bill for uniforms was unpaid, but money was missing from league accounts. Kelly Beth Alonso-Heath has been charged with embezzling over $90,000 over 4 years as she acted as treasurer for the Little Falls Youth Hockey Association. Its very rewarding. After the Press investigation of financial problems at Holbrook Little League, Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, R-Ocean, began drafting legislation aimed at making youth sports organization more transparent and accountable. nonprofit, add geographic service areas to create a map on your profile. Theres always a lot of cash involved in these organizations, and whenever theres cash, theres people eyeing the cash, said Tim Delaney, president and chief executive of the National Council of Nonprofits. Otter Tail County Included in Red Flag Warning Issued for 20 Counties in West Central, NW Minnesota. "They are old habits that are both bad and die hard. By Peter Odney 09/17/2020, 11:45am CDT. The ruse was discovered when board members regained access to the true bank records and found an account that should have contained $130,000 instead held just $13,000. (Chanhassen, MN) -- The National Weather Service is issuing a Red Flag Warning today (Monday 12-8 pm) for 20 counties in northwest and west central Minnesota due to extreme fire risk conditions. The national organizations will provide information, and Little League also offers clinics and webinars on how to handle finances. Little Falls Youth Hockey (LFYH)aims to provide a safe and positive environment for the youth in the Little Falls and surrounding communitiesto participate and excel through the sport of hockey. I couldnt comprehend having to tell the 700 kids in our entire membership that the money was gone and they couldnt play soccer anymore because their treasurer was a thief, Diane Miller, the Tri-Boro Youth Soccer Clubs current treasurer, said last month, recalling Mr. Farleys arrest in 2013. In an email, Stafford SC President Roger Budd said the club's board was "aware of the status of its 501(c)(3) and is in the process of having it reinstated" but did not detail what had led to the violations. We never expected this from her. We never expect this from anybody, Johnson said. But in reality, oversight of nonprofits are so lax that it makes theft from youth sports as easy as hitting a T-ball. Its a standard question, Mr. Short said. She stated that her situation got much worse after she moved out of her parents residence in April of 2018," the complaint states. A goalie for the Tri-Boro Youth Soccer Club in eastern Pennsylvania during a game in May. "Everything that was an issue is being actively worked on. COLUMN: When youth sports become big business. . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. But the club, which needed the infusion of cash, took the deal, which amounted to $55,000. Usually, it's paid in cash or a check. She explained Alonso-Heath had been the treasurer from mid-2016 until April 2020. The business started strong, then flagged precipitously. Updated: 10:26 PM CDT September 22, 2020 LITTLE FALLS, Minn. A Morrison County woman is charged with embezzling more than $90,000 from a youth hockey association over the four years she. Displaying Results 701 - 710 of 3774 Fall Classic: All-Tourney Team, Highlights. Ben Hanowski (F) 10/18 . "At that point, she was forced to rent a home and make payments for expenses she could not afford.". She has an upcoming court date on October 19. Falls Ballroom 15870 Minnesota 27 - Little Falls Ready to visit? She was found to have stolen more than $90,000 from the Little Falls Youth Hockey Association (LFYHA). Erik Carrozza, the founder of the Center for Fraud Prevention, said: Someone can easily skim 20 percent off the top and it will not be noticed for a while. The ice mites will attend 3-4 jamborees. The Fall Classic All-Tournament Teams are selected through a combination of coach recommendations and YHH Staff observations. Our donors and sponsors are the glue that holds the association together and makes kid's dreams come true. Little Falls High School; Little Falls H.S. And no one wants to be an organizations treasurer, which is the most tedious, thankless job. Walz says their proposed budget makes important investments for Minnesota's world-cla 728 Western Avenue, Fergus Falls MN 56537. Despite safeguards put in place in nearly every youth hockey association in an effort to prevent skimming, embezzlement is still a common problem. Other times, it comes time for a big trip to a tournament and there's simply not enough money. "We can't let an alleged misappropriation of over $100,000 go unanswered without putting more accountability and transparency into the law.". President of the youth hockey association, Carmen Johnson, contacted Little Falls police in June of this year and told investigators that Alonso . Playing on the travel team is $125 more. "I think people have their eyes open a little more to make sure that their money is not being taken and used for other things," Quackenbush said. "When I read about it in the Press, I had to do something," said Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, R-Ocean. When two Holbrook Little League leaders were charged with misappropriating more than $118,000 in league funds six months after the Little League World Series, it sent a shockwave across the youth sports landscape in New Jersey. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. With the money being gone now, it makes it impossible to do any of the improvements to the arena and impossible to put a roof over the outdoor sheet of ice that we have, said Carmen Johnson, the LFYH president, who said that the association tries to self-fund arena improvements to prevent increases in the cost of ice time. Officials say the goal is not to increase the prices to play, although arena improvement projects have been put on hold. ", "People are always asking, and that's the worst part of it," Kinsmann said. Please enable javascript and refresh the page to continue reading local news. There are groups that have tried to fill the void, like the National Alliance for Youth Sports, a Florida-based nonprofit and youth sports advocate that helps train coaches and administrators. WYANDOTTE, Mich. (FOX 2) - A mother entrusted as the treasurer for a youth hockey program is accused of embezzling $30,000. In general, there is little data of any kind on how extensive embezzlement is among all nonprofit groups, let alone youth sports associations. Enter your number to get our free mobile app. Those steps to make league finances more transparent may soon become state law. The safety of its participants is of paramount importance to USA Hockey. Please remember, these are all the intentions of the scheduler. Physical donations such as cash or check can be made to the association's PO Box 91 Little Falls 56345.