Case involving missing Adelanto Little League funds sent to DA

http://www.vvdailypress.com/article/20160209/NEWS/160209761

By Shea Johnson 

ADELANTO — The allegation that possibly more than $15,000 is missing from the Adelanto Little League has been sent to the District Attorney's office for prosecutorial review, according to a law enforcement official.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Pam Hoffman said in an email that authorities have submitted the complaint to the DA.

"The case ... is pending review to determine whether or not they will file charges," she wrote Monday.

A copy of the complaint isn't public record unless charges are ultimately filed, District Attorney spokesman Chris Lee said. He added that he was checking to be sure the office had the complaint, but had not confirmed as of noon Tuesday.

The Victor Valley Sheriff's Station on Dec. 9 began investigating the potentially missing funds after authorities were contacted by the Little League.

In a December interview with the Daily Press, Little League California District 49 administrator Martin Hoover said the league found "a decent amount of money unaccounted for" while going over the books.

District 49 acts as a liaison between the leagues in the High Desert and international headquarters and was also notified by the Adelanto league of the discrepancy.

Hoover said the league had provided authorities with financial records from previous years upon request. He also could not confirm the amount believed to be missing.

While it's unclear if the situation will lead to charges, it recalls the widely publicized convictions of former Adelanto Mayor Jim Nehmens and his wife in 2008. Involved with the league from 1999 to 2007, the couple was sentenced to six months in jail after stealing roughly $20,000 from the league.

In the face of allegations, Nehmens resigned from the City Council.

Hoover said the Adelanto Little League's size is similar to other organizations that include 250 to 300 kids and typically incur between $50,000 to $60,000 in annual expenses for uniforms, trophies, picture packages and more.

Shea Johnson may be reached at 760-955-5368 or SJohnson@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DP_Shea.