Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Former Sandy youth football treasurer accused of embezzlement in Oregon

The former treasurer of Sandy Youth Football has been accused of embezzling more than $23,000 from the organization.
Susan Marie Farness, 41, has been indicted by a Clackamas County grand jury on nine counts of first-degree theft, five counts of second-degree theft and 28 counts of identity theft.
Farness, who served as treasurer from January 2011 until July 2012, surrendered voluntarily last week and was booked into the Clackamas County Jail. She was released after posting a $7,500 security deposit against bail of $75,000.
Arraignment in Clackamas County Circuit Court is set for May 2.
First-degree theft is a Class C felony and is punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a $125,000 fine.
Teresa McKinnis, Sandy Youth Football co-president, said officials became aware that something was amiss last year, when they were informed that Ridell, a football equipment supplier, said the league had failed to pay its bill. A subsequent internal investigation found that the league's accounts were so low that last season was placed in jeopardy.
"We usually have about 10 kids on scholarship," McKinnis said. "But we had to inform the parents of those kids that they had to pay the registration fees or the kids couldn't play. We couldn't honor any scholarships."
The league board then fired Farness and President Chris Jelinek. Both were authorized signers on Sandy Youth Football accounts.
Jelinek has not been charged. Sandy police declined to say whether he is under investigation.
The board then appointed McKinnis, who formerly served as president, and vice president Nate Rotzien to serve as co-presidents. They have been working to strengthen the organization, which fields six teams for grades 3 through 8, serving about 160 kids.
"We still owe about $7,000 to Ridell," McKinnis said. "We're in the process of finding another equipment supplier and we are accepting any donations people want to make in hopes of getting our finances on solid footing. We are planning on having a season." 

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