Father, son charged for theft from local little league in Massachusetts

A father and son appeared in court Friday facing embezzlement charges for allegedly stealing $50,000 from the West Medford Little League.
They are accused of writing checks for themselves and using an account at BJ’s Wholesale Club to buy things for themselves that had nothing to do with the children.
Stanley Komins, 78, was silent as he left court with his son, Stephen Komins, 45. Prosecutors said the case against them is strong, but complicated.
Stanley Komins was the league president and Stephen Komins was the treasurer. Both men asked for a public defender. Prosecutors said the men would steal from the concession stand and from the league finances by writing themselves checks.
The total loss to the ball club is more than $50,000.
The West Medford Little League said they first became suspicious when Stanley Komins retired in 2011 and wouldn’t hand over financial records. League officials said they performed an audit and went to police with the troubling discovery.
Neal O'Brien's Medford deli is one of the many local league sponsors. He said customers are buzzing about the scandal.
“Just a sense of disgust. It’s too bad. The children shouldn’t pay. They’re taking from their own. It’s just a terrible thing,” said O’Brien.
Helen Balzano has helped run another Medford little league and calls the case shocking.
“These are little kids that are playing baseball. We’re supposed to set the example for these kids. If we can’t set a good example for our own children, what does that say about us?” said Balzano.
On the league’s web page, the new board acknowledges the allegations and wrote, “We continue to work at being transparent with the parents of West Medford and ensuring that we create a league that the community can be proud of.”
Inside Somerville District Court, father and son issued not guilty pleas. They were released without bail, but had to hand over their passports and told they had to stay in the state.