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ROTTERDAM
Larceny from softball league alleged
Former treasurer arrested, charged with taking $8,000
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net.

    Jackie O’Brien knew that something was awry with the Rotterdam Softball League’s treasury when her vendors began calling her about unpaid bills.
    The league president was sure there were enough funds to cover their costs of operation. At the same time, the league’s treasurer-elect was finding discrepancies in the books left to her by Rae Lynch, who had overseen the organization’s fi - nances for two years.
    “So we did some digging,” O’Brien said Thursday.
    The result was the arrest of Lynch, 43, of Guilderland, who is now facing a grand larceny charge stemming from $8,000 missing from the softball league’s treasury. She is accused of writing checks payable to “cash” that she then used to purchase personal items, pay her mortgage and cover veterinarian bills, according to the Albany County Sheriff’s Department.
    The new treasurer alleged that Lynch used a league check to pay her county property taxes, deputies said. The treasurer contacted the Albany County Department of Finance, which then notifi ed the sheriff’s offi ce.
    Lynch was charged Wednesday with third-degree grand larceny and released on her own recognizance. Investigators said she could face additional charges.
    Meanwhile, O’Brien is trying to smooth things over with the league’s creditors. She said news of the situation had gotten back to many of them, and they’ve been understanding about the league’s inability to pay.
    “They’re being very understanding about our lack of payment,” she said. “We’re kind of in the middle of it all.”
    O’Brien said the league should be able to continue without the money, but it won’t be easy. She said the league won’t have the funds to purchase the new equipment it normally does at the start of the season.
    The league also lost an endowment recently left to help cover girls who can’t afford to play. Even so, O’Brien said, they will fi nd ways to ensure that all interested girls can participate.
    “We’re going to try and pinch some pennies to save as much as we can,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll get some restitution.”

well she owns a house that she pays property taxes on. Put a lien on the house. If the league doesn't pursue this I won't support them financially again since it means anyone can steal the money I donated and they won't do anything about it. A similar thing happened at the Elks apparently last year and no one was held accountable.

Excellent point GB. Put a lien against the house AND take the animals that she had to pay vet bills for and keep them until she pays all the monies back.

Both are GREAT ideas

This stuff happens ALL THE TIME! And the prevailing sentiment is to go back to the well and ask supporters and friends and the families of the kids to cough up the deficit. Usually when a thief steals from the league, they don't pursue the money from the thief or the thief's family and that is a huge injustice. I never understood that a bit. The kid glove treatment to all wrongdoers is crazy in my opinion.

It happened many years ago not very far from here when $7000 went missing from the little league. It was paid back over a period of years until every cent was paid back.

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Why is embezzler allowed so many court postponements?

    In November 2008 [Rae Lynch], the former treasurer of the Rotterdam Girls Softball League, was arrested for embezzling thousands of dollars from league funds, leaving the league not only penniless, but thousands of dollars in debt.
    When she was arrested, she gave a statement admitting to stealing nearly $9,000. Since that time, she has been scheduled to be arraigned and has agreed to a plea. However, every time she is suppose to appear, it is rescheduled for her convenience. Last week I was assured (even when I checked in with probation that morning) that she would be in court for sentencing at a 9 a.m. session.
    The league president and I went there to see this woman finally sentenced. We had been told that we would be able to make a victim impact statement at the time. After sitting in court until 12:30 p.m., her attorney told the judge that she wouldn’t be there because she was out of state doing something with her kids and that he would have to postpone until Jan. 5, 2010!
    I was appalled that someone who stole thousands from children and their families could postpone sentencing yet again — this is one of many postponements. So far, the league, the 300-plus players, their families and the community are the only ones who have been sentenced. They have been sentenced to doing without, working to recoup funds in order to pay past-due bills and current expenses, and wasting time in courtrooms.
    Is it justice that the guilty roam free while the victims pick up the pieces and wait?

    DEBBY POULTON
    Rotterdam
The writer is vice president of the Rotterdam Girls Softball League.

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00904&AppName=1

and the judge allows it ...

Just like in the Raucci case.

The Raucci case is baloney.  He should already be sitting in jail because he was sentenced.  It's inexcusable that there is no movement on this.  How come nobdy makes an issue of this?