Former youth soccer president admits to grand theft

Former Healdsburg Youth Soccer League President Kyle Hoffman
pled no contest this week to grand theft charges for embezzling
more than $50,000 from the local youth organization.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Hoffman admitted to
one grand theft count for each of the three years he was
President/Treasurer of the league — 2008, 2009, and 2010. More than
70 fraudulent financial transactions spanning the three year period
were discovered during an investigation by the Healdsburg Police
Department.
The charges came after HYSL board members realized money was
missing in the fall of 2010, just as the league was gearing up for
its youth recreation season. According to reports, several of the
league’s checks were returned for insufficient funds when the
league was attempting to pay for equipment and uniforms.
The 2010 season went on with the help of donations from local
residents, Adidas and the San Jose Earthquakes.
Current HYSL President Mitzi Giron said she was relieved the
case had resolved and that Hoffman had taken responsibility for his
actions. Giron added that any collected restitution was earmarked
by HYSL to establish a “scholarship fund for those children who
cannot afford to play.”
HYSL has been holding registration and sign-up days for the 2011
season for the past month, but recently the city of Healdsburg’s
Parks and Recreation Department announced it would also organize a
fall soccer program as an alternative to HYSL.
The city received a petition with 120 signatures from
“interested parents encouraging the Recreation Department to
operate a recreational soccer program as an alternative to programs
being offered by Healdsburg Youth Soccer League,” according to a
staff report. “Based on the interest generated from the petition,
and feedback from the community at large for an alternative
recreational soccer program, the City Recreation Department staff
has begun organizing the program.”
The city expects to run the fall soccer program from August
through October this year. The 10-week recreational soccer program
will promote fun, skill development and teamwork through weekly
practices and games. Registration fees will be $65, which includes
uniforms and end of season awards.
Hoffman will be sentenced on August 17 before Judge Gnoss to
nine months in jail and three years of felony probation. According
to the District Attorney’s office, if Hoffman makes substantial
restitution payments prior to the start of the soccer season and
his sentencing date, he may receive less time in jail.
HYSL is a division I, III, and IV soccer program serving
Healdsburg, Geyserville, and Alexander Valley areas for
approximately 300 boys and girls ranging in ages from 4 to 18.
Tribune Editor Kerrie Lindecker can be reached at Ke****@so********.com.