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President Charged With Stealing From Youth League

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By Kyle Martin of Hernando Today

Published: October 9, 2007

SPRING HILL — The president of a youth football league is accused of pocketing $7,257 of the organization's money for personal use.

A detective said he found discrepancies in bookkeeping when coaches and parents began questioning the finances of the Hernando Athletic Association's Screaming Eagles.

President Kathleen Mahla prepared a financial statement and presented it to the county's parks and recreation department, which was passed on to Detective Jeff Kraft. Kraft said there was "clear evidence of missing funds."

After a more in-depth review of the records, receipts and bank statements, Kraft came to the conclusion money was being siphoned for personal use.

He gave the example of an invoice for printing work that cost the league $1,300. Kraft said Mahla cashed a check for $1,900 and kept $100 plus the $500 sponsorship credit.

"She admitted to other personal purchases on the league account but denied many others," an affidavit states.

News of the theft shocked some parents, who pay $110 per child for team membership. "That's like robbing candy from a baby," said Tiffany Ciminera, whose 9-year-old son started with the league last year.

During the investigation, Kraft said, Mahla presented him copies of personal checks that showed she had made personal purchases and repaid the league.

The other members of the Hernando Athletic Association, now the Spring Hill Athletic Association, said they had no knowledge of any theft and acknowledged they had not reviewed transactions lately.

The league's taxes had not been filed in the "past several years," which the detective took as further proof that Mahla was "knowingly committing these crimes."

Mahla, 37, of 10133 Heathcliffe St., turned herself in and is charged with grand theft. When reached at home, she said she had no comment.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at (352) 544-5271

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