KENNEBUNK — The Kennebunk Lacrosse Club acknowledged Wednesday that they are the nonprofit organization that had $4,000 in funds stolen, allegedly from a former treasurer last spring.
According to Kim Joyce, the club’s president, former treasurer Elaine Akers allegedly wrote unauthorized club checks to herself during the months of March and May 2011.
The discrepancy was identified, Joyce said, through bank records and was addressed by the club’s board immediately to protect remaining funds when discovered last June.
Akers, 38, of 32 Grove St. in Kennebunk, was charged with theft by deception on Feb. 8 after police conducted an investigation into her alleged misuse of the organization’s funds.
Money stolen amounting to more than $2,000 is considered a felony, according to Lt. Anthony Bean Burpee of the Kennebunk Police Department.
Kennebunk police began a six-month investigation into the alleged theft after the organization reported the money missing last August, said Bean Burpee.
Since the incident, the club has appointed a new treasurer, Pamela Richard-Wuerthner, a past Regional School Unit 21 school board member, to limit further monetary exposure in the future, Joyce said.
Until Wednesday, police wouldn’t release the name of the organization or the amount of money stolen because the case is still under investigation.
“The club is in good financial standing, and we will continue to provide the highest level of commitment to the youth lacrosse program in our community,” said Joyce.
Akers was also charged on Jan. 30 with attaching false plates, following a motor vehicle stop on Storer Street for a traffic infraction. She is scheduled to appear in Biddeford District Court on May 23 for both charges.
The Kennebunk Lacrosse Club promotes the game of lacrosse, serving approximately 200 players from grades 3-8 each year, according to the club’s website. Players and families involved in the club live in Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.
The club’s formal announcement on the incident can be viewed on their website, kbklax.com.
Joyce said she wants to assure club participants and volunteers that there are procedures in place to stop more financial risks.
— Staff Writer Matt Kiernan can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 326 or mkiernan@journaltribune.com
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