Treasurer Embezzles From Youth Hockey Organization

Outside the Lines (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, ESPN)

In the late 1990s, the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Amateur Hockey Association hired Kimberly Knight, a local accountant whose son played in the program, to help keep its books. By 2001, she was treasurer of the organization made up mostly of parents and volunteers who annually raised significant funds.

Three years ago, the association was shocked to learn its bank account had been cleaned out, and an investigation revealed Knight had stolen $934,000. Knight’s sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of felony embezzlement? Probation, $75,000 upfront in restitution, and a monthly payment of $1,500 to the association.

Steve Delsohn reports on how a hockey mom embezzled nearly $1 million dollars and might never spend a day behind bars.

“You can’t continue to run a small nonprofit as if it’s a backyard lemonade stand. We find ourselves in very difficult circumstances financially. This is a woman that stole 98 percent of the assets of this organization.” — Mike Reid, new Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association VP

“Not to detract from what my client did and obviously she did wrong, but that opportunity was enhanced specifically by the lack of oversight and the lack of financial skills that the directors exercised.” — Michael LeGris, Kimberly Knight’s attorney

See full press release here