Police: Treasurer Stole Thousands From Coon Rapids Hockey Club
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- With boys high school hockey in the off-season, ice time for Coon Rapids Cardinals varsity and junior varsity team comes out of their parent's pockets -- money they say was stolen from them by one of their own.
"It was kind of a raw blow to the gut," said Brian Knapp, president of the Redline Booster Club for the boy's hockey team.
Knapp said he and a banker discovered dozens of transactions that had nothing to do with the team while checking in on their Wells Fargo bank account back in July. They included buying groceries, make-up and several ATM withdrawals.
Knapp said the club's treasurer, whose son played on the team, was the only person who had access to the money.
"Everybody's volunteering. Parents, they're writing checks to keep their kids playing and it's all for naught," Knapp said.
He says for nearly two and a half years, a CPA helped them determine the treasurer stole about $36,000 from the account.
"It's gut-wrenching," said head coach Steve Moe.
He said would have gone to off-season ice time, new equipment and team building activities, such as out-of-town trips.
"We're a small hockey community and we need to be a hockey family, and this might test us a little bit, but it can only make us be a little bit stronger," Moe said.
Knapp said the booster club's board now has two treasurers, and each board member can now view the bank account. These are precautions he hopes parents at other schools take.
"There's a lot of trust that goes in in these positions because, you know, these people for so many years, you think you know them, but that's not always good enough," Knapp said.
Knapp said police brought the treasurer in for an interview, and she admitted to stealing, but an arrest has not happened yet.
As for the money lost, the booster club is hosting several fundraisers in the coming weeks. Click here to make a donation directly to the booster club.