Ex-youth league treasurer put on probation, ordered to pay restitution
By Elise Franco
The president of the Colts Youth League said it needs support from the community now more than ever.
AUSTINTOWN — Gary Short, former treasurer of the Austintown Colts Youth League, pleaded guilty Monday to reduced charges of misdemeanor theft and forgery.
Judge David D’Apolito of Mahoning County Area Court said Short must serve two years’ probation and 90 days’ house arrest, be required to complete 40 hours of community service and make $2,995 in restitution to the league.
D’Apolito also said Short, 32, who works as a prison guard for the Trumbull Correctional Institution in Leavittsburg, is to have no future contact with the Colts or any other youth league.
Short’s attorney Joseph Ludovici said all parties involved seemed satisfied with the outcome.
All five youth league board members present for the hearing said they just wanted an apology.
Short declined to comment.
At the beginning of December, Short turned himself in to Austintown police after a police report was filed by Jeff Jones, president of the youth league. The report stated that close to $3,000 was missing from the league’s fund.
Short, initially charged with fifth-degree felony theft and forgery, was accused of misusing the $3,000 from the league’s fund by forging Jones’ signature, then writing three more checks to cash and keeping the money.
“It’s unfortunate these kinds of things have to happen,” Jones said when Judge D’Apolito called him to the bench. “We hope the community will step forward and back us in our endeavors to regain our footing.”
Jones said because of the theft, the league has several invoices it cannot pay.
“We are damaged financially,” he said. “The restitution today will help rectify some of that.”
Incoming Treasurer Dave Sayers said the board plans to set up payment arrangements with those businesses until new revenue comes in during football registrations.
Jones said the league’s biggest obstacle will be to persuade current vendors and advertisers to continue to donate and convince parents, kids and community members that the problems will be solved.
He said that from now on, bank statements will be provided to each board member at every meeting and a checks and balances system will be used.
“This way, everyone has the opportunity to look over the records,” Jones said.
efranco@vindy.com