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Ex-Boys & Girls Clubs employee accused of stealing thousands

Posted at 5:15 PM, Aug 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-30 18:15:01-04

A former employee at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars. 

President & CEO Vincent Lyles said the man, who hasn't been criminally charged yet, was fired in April after the club first learned of the allegations. 

"It's frustrating," he said. 

"This organization, these kids, they look up to the club," Lyles said. "When the club lets them down, or an individual lets them down, it's concerning to all of us." 

In a Milwaukee Police Department affidavit used to obtain a search warrant for the suspect's cell phone, investigators accuse the man of using his position as the administrator of a youth baseball program to steal from the Boys & Girls Club. 

In the document, police said they interviewed club officials, employees, parents and coaches. 

In one instance, investigators detail how they believe the man set up "a second bank account in his name, instead of the Boys & Girls Club account, in which to deposit concessions money" collected by volunteers working the food stands at Milwaukee Brewers games. 

"Bank records show that more than $28,000 in concession money was deposited into an account controlled by (the suspect), never transferred back to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, and spent on dining, travel, and other expenses," the affidavit reads. 

Investigators also accuse the suspect of writing checks to friends and family with Boys & Girls Club money. For instance, they said approximately 30 checks totaling $14,900 were sent to a company called Excelling Sports USA during January and February of 2018. 

Police allege the principal of that company is the suspect's sister. 

Milwaukee Police confirmed they are investigating allegations and the man was arrested. 

The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office said the man was booked into the jail but released on $500 cash bond before charges were filed. 

"A suspect arrested as part of a criminal investigation has the right to post bail or be released without bail if our office is unable to make a charging decision within 5 days of a felony arrest," the District Attorney's office said in an email. "Our timeframe for charging is still some time out from now."