In the years between the thefts and his arrest, Gallo paid back nearly $120,000 of the stolen money. She was found to have stolen more than $90,000 from the Little Falls Youth Hockey Association (LFYHA). Tickets for the Great Minnesota Get-Together are on sale. Eagle River woman sentenced for embezzling $150K from youth hockey group Mr. Farley declined to be interviewed last month, but his lawyer, George Heitczman, said that when his client lost his job working on Wall Street, he began making loans to himself from the clubs account. She will then serve 30 days in 2022 and 2023, with both being eligible to be vacated if she is current on restitution payments. Youth hockey association for Little Falls and surrounding communities. 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. In addition to the IRS, nonprofits are also beholden to the rule of the Division of Consumer Affairs, an arm of the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office. Last year, the president of the Freehold Soccer League learned a bill for uniforms was unpaid, but money was missing from league accounts. We never expect this from anybody, Johnson said. We never expect this from anybody, Johnson said. "The very next day, the board got together and decided to place a call to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.". Despite safeguards put in place in nearly every youth hockey association in an effort to prevent skimming, embezzlement is still a common problem. A Morrison County woman is charged with embezzling more than $90,000 from a youth hockey association over the four years she served as the organization's treasurer.\r\rhttps://www.kare11.com/article/news/crime/youth-hockey-treasurer-charged-with-embezzling-more-than-90k/89-62458ebe-522d-4e85-a9ad-c21b863bddce\r\r\rWelcome to the official YouTube channel of KARE 11 News. Despite safeguards put in place in nearly every youth hockey association in an effort to prevent skimming, embezzlement is still a common problem. "They're not usually business people but youre putting them in charge of running facilities, scholarships and fundraisers. Hockey Comeback in progress after embezzlement rocks Little Falls Youth Hockey Generous gifts have been received by Little Falls Youth Hockey after a former treasurer was found to. Tri-Boros players warming up before a game in May. LITTLE FALLS, Minn. As if 2020 needed to throw one more challenge in the faces of youth sports organizers, the people who run the youth hockey association in Little Falls got a true look at their bank accounts in the spring, and what they found was shocking. A goalie for the Tri-Boro Youth Soccer Club in eastern Pennsylvania during a game in May. https://www.kare11.com/appredirect/\r Find KARE 11 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KARE11/\r Follow KARE 11 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kare11\r Follow KARE 11 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kare11/ The complaint concludes that Alonso-Heath wrote or cashed fraudulent checks in the amount of $86,951.69 in addition to withdrawing $5,814.34 that went to car and utility payments. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. Start Planning Your Trip Let's Get Social At Holbrook Little League, it was an anonymous letter to prosecutors casting suspicion over Anthony Del Vecchio and John Lehmann, the president and treasurer who were eventually charged with misappropriating $118,000. "It adds up," he said. It is the intention of the LFYH to have the practice schedule posted at least a month ahead of time! Two board members are also required to extensively review the clubs books monthly. The youth sports boom in the United States, fortified by at least 30 million participants, has turned what were once homespun local leagues into quasi-professional enterprises with annual budgets that experts who track nonprofits say regularly reach $250,000 if not twice that. He knew that no one truly scrutinized the treasurers books he had been doctoring. Expenses. The charging document accuses Alonso-Heath of cashing numerous checks written to herself, in addition to other checks written out to Kwik Trip. Team Information - MYHockey 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. LFYHA President Carmen Johnson said that her emotions ran the gamut from shock to anger to resigned acceptance when she found out. WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP, Pa. With downcast eyes and a microphone clenched in one fist, Brian Farley stood uneasily before nearly 400 children from the Tri-Boro Youth Soccer Club in eastern Pennsylvania. FYHA Staff - Fargo Youth Hockey Association Little League Crime Stories: Embezzlement, Fraud & Worse - Fatherly Inside the envelope were two checks for $14 and $11. Even though local sports teams might carry the names of national organizations like Little League or American Youth Football, the local teams are considered independent entities that are expected to follow federal and state reporting guidelines, officials said. practices during the week and 2-3 games on the weekend. By YHH Staff 09/23/2020, 3:15pm CDT. card had been used to pay for $500 hairdressing appointments, hotel stays, wine and cigars. Results are affected by number of high school and juniors home games, home tournaments, and number of district teams at the peewee and bantam level. We are able to do this because of generous donations from others and through our outstanding business sponsors! Hear what one Holbrook Little League parent thinks of the problem in this video below. Ive definitely gotten teary-eyed when people that I dont know, and people that I do know, step up to help. The 63-year-old allegedly swindled the school district over an 18-month period. 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. Some leagues have dissolved as a result. But in reality, oversight of nonprofits are so lax that it makes theft from youth sports as easy as hitting a T-ball. You try to be a good example to your children, Mr. Farley, whose son and daughter had played for the club, told the gathering. Follow the MN Hockey Hub for complete Star Tribune coverage of boys' high school hockey and the Minnesota state high school tournament, including scores, schedules, rankings, statistics and more. "But does that mean we abandon the youth sports leagues? ESPN to feature Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association embezzlement case Ashburn woman pleads guilty to embezzlement from youth football league We never expected this from her. Secondary Nation . Don't issue league debit or credit cards, as they are too easily used for personal expenses; Require two signatures on all checks over $500; and. That thought is what usually sparks theft, often in smaller amounts of $100 or less, at youth sports leagues investigated by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, said Detective Sgt. Convicted: Credit union fraud, 1 count; Sentenced: 96 months in prison; Five years of supervised release ### Additional news available on our website. Generally, no. But keeping the books up-to-date is up to each individual team. "They just don't have that background," Malinowski said. 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. Watch Hot Mic: Recapping a busy NFL Draft locally and for the Vikings, USHL hockey: Force down Tri-City in OT to win semifinals series, 'A fairly regular issue,' area animal shelters see no end in sight to overcrowding, Ashley Judd to speak at upcoming YWCA Cass Clay event, Before he quits touring for ministry, Granger Smith to bring farewell tour to The Lights in July, Port: Nearly 15% of North Dakota's House was absent for the last vote of the session. Nationwide, the youth sports market is estimated at $19 billion with 32.1 million kids playing in leagues with estimates that it could grow to as much as $41 billion in 2023, despite a string of high-profile arrests in New Jersey and beyond. A review of bank statements compared with board meeting notes resulted in the discovery of large discrepancies. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Little Falls' Kuchinski-Helgeson gets goals in 'dirty zone' By Loren Nelson, SportsEngine 02/06/2021, 3:00pm CST ; "They are really connecting Holbrook with this theft rather than the Little League World Series.". The penalties for violators range from $10,000 to $50,000 in penalties, or revocation of its tax-exempt status which is what has happened to at least 23youth sports leagues at the Shore this decade. Per the complaint: "For example, at the board meeting in January 2020, Alonso-Heath reported that there was an account balance in excess of $131,000. Or 46-year-old Deidre Mitchell of Port Huron, Massachusetts, who was convicted of embezzling $11,000 from her local Little League team. To understand the depth of the problems with youth sports, the Press reviewed hundreds of pages of nonprofit tax returns and police records and analyzed IRS data for every youth football, baseball, soccer, basketball and hockey team at the Jersey Shore. 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. We will provide any child every opportunity to play the great sport of hockey. 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 about four years, according to the Morrison County Attorney's Office. "We don't have deep pockets in Little Falls, so a little bit here and there from people, hopefully, we can chip away at the debt.". One New Jersey league, which Whitehead did not name, took on a new treasurer that instituted online registration. For the meeting minutes of February 2020, Alonso-Heath reported a balance in excess of $107,000 when the bank statement for that time period was actually $19,000.". The approximately 14,000 youth sports organizations in the United States take in annual revenue of about $9 billion, according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics. Alonso-Heath is not in custody. Revenue. 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. I know that hockey people are good people, but this just reinforces it.. The USA Hockey SafeSport Handbook is intended to update and collect USA Hockeys various policies to protect its participants from all types of misconduct and abuse. Watch Hot Mic: Recapping a busy NFL Draft locally and for the Vikings, USHL hockey: Force down Tri-City in OT to win semifinals series, 'A fairly regular issue,' area animal shelters see no end in sight to overcrowding, Ashley Judd to speak at upcoming YWCA Cass Clay event, Before he quits touring for ministry, Granger Smith to bring farewell tour to The Lights in July, Port: Nearly 15% of North Dakota's House was absent for the last vote of the session. Come play bingo with the Little Falls Youth Hockey Association! A Medford woman has avoided prison after admitting she stole money reaching five . IN-SEASON OFFICE HOURS Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday - 10:00am-2:00pm Jeff Nygaard Phone: 701-532-1727 (VM or Text) Nate Metcalf, Hockey Director The losses also put the association behind on future projects it had planned, such as adding a second ice sheet, and that local businesses are financially tapped out after suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was time to play. A woman in Vermont was convicted of stealing from a fund established to honor a dead child who had been a club member. A mother is accused of embezzling money from a youth hockey league. and Major League Baseball tickets, lingerie, large deliveries of yard mulch, college loans and the interest on personal property being held in pawn shops. The LFYH mission is to instill the core values of Sportsmanship, Respect, Integrity, Pursuit of Excellence, Enjoyment, Loyalty and Teamwork within all of our players. Johnson said LFYH is not doing either of those things as they recover from the theft, acknowledging that many in the community are already hurting due to the pandemic. While insurance will cover roughly half of the LFYH losses, their plans for arena upgrades including putting a roof over their outdoor ice sheet and improving the press box in their indoor arena have been put on hold because of a lack of funds. "You're stealing from children We're supposed to be a community. Published: Sep. 18, 2018 at 2:12 PM PDT. LITTLE FALLS - The Rink Live
