Coquitlam Little League calls police after $227K goes missing

The president of the Coquitlam Little League (CLL) has called in the RCMP after $227,000 went missing from the league’s account.

Sandon Fraser said that, at a June 9 meeting, the board was “presented with financials stating that Coquitlam Little League had $229,971.31 in financial assets.”

The report was made as the league prepared to refund spring fees to more than 700 members, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement posted on the league’s website, Fraser wrote that members began contacting his office in the three weeks after June 26, reporting that they hadn’t received their refunds.

“As a result, on Monday, Aug. 3, we began what we believed to be an informal investigation into what had transpired,” Fraser wrote.

“At that time, we discovered a serious issue — that the funds that should have been in Coquitlam Little League’s account were not there.

“At this stage, we know the league’s funds are currently under $3,000, of which suppliers are also owed for unpaid invoices. We have contacted the Coquitlam RCMP about this issue and an investigation has been started.”

Fraser wrote that the CLL board was “actively addressing the situation internally,” by seeking legal advice and retaining “independent accounting support.”

Fraser asked the league’s members not to speculate “on who might be involved and what occurred.”

“It is important that we get to the truth and that we don’t let rumours or gossip influence us or cause us to act in any way,” he wrote.

Cpl. Jason Tran of the Coquitlam RCMP’s Economic Crime Unit said police were told on Aug. 8 that a substantial amount of money had allegedly gone missing.

Tran wouldn’t confirm how much money was allegedly missing, but did say the investigation had started well and was expected to make progress.

“We will not be releasing the name of any suspect or suspects unless we reach a point where the B.C. Prosecution Service approves charges,” he said.

A spokesman for Little League Canada said the organization was aware of the probe.

The CLL’s all-star team won last year’s Canadian championship. In 2019, it also won provincial championships in the under-13 and under-14 divisions.

According to the league’s website, the organization has 16 board members. None of them, however, is designated as being responsible for finances.