Police say the treasurer of the Susquehanna Township Midget Football Association stole over $60,000 from the bank accounts of three youth sports organizations. Lesley Darrin, 38, of the 4200 block of Crooked Hill Road, Harrisburg, faces three counts of felony theft by unlawful taking, after an investigation into missing funds from high school sports booster clubs.
The investigation began when police were advised of missing money from the bank account of the Susquehanna Township Midget Football Association. Darrin had been the treasurer of that organization and was suspected of taking money from the account in unauthorized transactions. Further investigation revealed that Darrin was also the treasurer for the Susquehanna Township High School Softball Booster Club and the Susquehanna Township High School Girls Basketball Booster Club. Funds were missing from those organizations as well. In total, Darrin is accused of taking in excess of $60,000 from the three organizations. Darrin was arraigned at Dauphin County Central Booking and bail was set at $20,000.
The booster club issued the following statement:
“Over the course of the last few weeks members of the Susquehanna Township Midget Football Association Board discovered alarming financial discrepancies and began investigating STMFA’s financial accounts.
As a result our review, our board was shocked and saddened to uncover the misappropriation of funds from our organization account that our players and their families worked tirelessly to raise.
We appreciate the work and professionalism of the Susquehanna Township Police Department during this difficult time and will continue to work closely with them throughout the course of their investigation.
The board is firmly committed to maintaining the integrity of our program and remains focused on providing a quality educational and instructional program for our youth.
We extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors, parents and players and ask for their continued support.”