The former president of a youth baseball and softball organization in Ohio has been charged with embezzling funds from the league.
Eric M. Smith, 37, of Follansbee, was charged with stealing from the Wellsburg Baseball and Softball Association.
According to the Herald Star, which obtained a copy of the criminal complant, Smith is b elieved to have used funds from the baseball association’s account to purchase uniforms for a traveling baseball team not affiliated with the group and to pay bills for Internet service to his home.
League representatives became concerened when they noticed that their account had gone from $19,504 in July to $19 in Feburary. They said the timing of some of the purchases made on the account were suspicious.
Smith has stepped down from his roll as president, and organizers are now looking for new officers.
The association plans to move forward with the upcoming season, but is hoping the public will step up to help.
“We’re asking the community to come together at this time of struggle for us,” said Justin Lendon, who served as vice president under Smith.
