Simcoe and District Youth Soccer Club officials contacted police about “financial irregularities” within the organization in February of this year, leading to charges against the club’s now-former treasurer.
Brodie Chambers, 33, of Norfolk County was arrested by the Norfolk OPP Crime Unit on Friday, March 3.
The accused is charged with criminal breach of trust and fraud over $5,000, as well as a forgery charge.
The allegations against Chambers have not been proven.
SDYSC president Brian Suggett said board members were reviewing club finances in February 2023 when they came upon information that prompted an internal audit of the club’s accounts.
“It was during this audit that we discovered several financial irregularities and that club funds were missing,” said Suggett. “Based on that information the SDYSC contacted the Norfolk OPP Crime Unit to report theft, fraud, and forgery complaints.
“Based on the potential charges we removed former treasurer Brodie Chambers and can confirm that he is no longer a part of the organization.”
The exact amount of money allegedly involved has not been released.
In an earlier interview, Const. Ed Sanchuk of Norfolk OPP said “Thousands of dollars were fraudulently obtained.”
Meanwhile, Chambers continues to serve as president of the Port Dover Minor Baseball Association.
PDMBA vice-president Adam Veri said Chambers became a board member in June 2022 and was elected president “a month or so ago” after the organization’s president had to resign for personal reasons.
“Brodie offered to step up,” Veri said. “He’s also coached for the organization.”
The vice-president said Wednesday that the board put on Monday evening to discuss the matter.
“We’re not overly concerned,” said Veri in an email to the Reformer. “Brodie was so new to the presidency that he hadn’t actually been given signing authority or access to accounts yet, so there’s no risk there.”
He noted that appropriate due diligence was followed by the board in electing Chambers as president.
“In order to coach, Brodie had to submit an up-to-date police check, which he passed,” said Veri. “There was no reason for the board to suspect or any way to know there was any risk here.
“There were no issues with him as a volunteer coach, so as far as we knew he was a parent looking to help the organization through additional volunteer service.”
Suggest said the Simcoe and District Youth Soccer Club assure parents, players, coaches, and sponsors that it will move ahead as planned.
Chambers is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Simcoe at a later date.
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