While a former Sebago youth soccer league director faces theft charges, his colleagues hope for compassion and some leniency in his fate.

Michael C. Cain, 48, formerly of Casco, was indicted by a Cumberland County grand jury Jan. 11 on a Class C felony charge. He is accused of taking more than $4,000 from the Lakes Region Youth Soccer program, which serves Bridgton, Casco, Naples and Sebago, by using a program debit card.

An arraignment date for Cain has not been set, and the charge is only part of legal problems Cain faces.

On Feb. 5, Cain will be arraigned in Cumberland County Superior Court on a misdemeanor domestic assault charge resulting from his arrest Nov. 30 by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. Bail conditions from that arrest prevent him from returning to his Casco home.

The thefts are alleged to have occurred for as many as six months before a review of its bank records led the league’s board of directors to call the Cumberland County sheriff on Dec. 10.

The league’s board, comprising Bridgton Recreation Director Phil Gutekunst, Casco Recreation Director Beth Latsey, Naples Recreation Director Harvey Price and Sebago Recreation Director Corinne Davis, met Jan. 17 to discuss policy changes to prevent problems in the future.

The most likely change is to limit access to league money by having the towns served by the league collect registration fees and then pay league bills. Latsey and Davis agreed with Gutekunst Wednesday that this seemed the best option to the league.

Latsey and Davis said they had not received calls from parents worried about the league or its finances, and Gutekunst reiterated the money was replaced through a private donation.

Gutekunst said arrangements are being made for Cain to repay the anonymous donor. He said he wished the indictment had not been handed up.

“We are not best friends,” said Gutekunst, “but revenge is not the proper attitude.”

Gutekunst has not spoken with Cain since he was indicted. He said Cain was tearful when approached about the missing money, and had served the program with energy and distinction for more than a decade before his indictment.

“He is not a saint, but he did something stupid,” said Gutekunst, who would like to move on because the money was restored, Cain will repay the donor and the league feels secure it will not be victimized again.

Whether preparing the fields in Sebago or spending the day refereeing soccer games, Cain was known for his energy and devotion to the league and its teams. That service led Latsey to say her emotions were mixed as she thought about the indictment.

“From the human aspect, it is just too bad it comes to a point in life when someone takes such desperate measures,” Latsey said. “But there is no justification for what he has done. His actions wipe away all the work he had done.”

Davis said he was saddened Cain’s action affected the community youth, but hoped his years of service would be taken into account when Cain might be punished.

Former Casco resident Michael C. Cain, 48, faces charges of domestic assault and theft for allegedly stealing more than $4,000 from the Lakes Region Youth Soccer program.