Pop Warner Treasurer, Friend Charged With Theft

Ex-Attleboro Pop Warner treasurer, friend charged with theft of league funds

BY DAVID LINTON SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Friday, May 8, 2009 5:47 PM EDT

ATTLEBORO- A former treasurer of the Attleboro Pop Warner Football League and her friend were arraigned today on charges they stole $7,190 from league funds.

Angela N. Menard, 32, of 33 1/2 Benefit St., who was treasurer from 2006 to Jan. 1 of this year, and Marcia Kovalski, 33, of 213 Hillside Ave., pleaded innocent in Attleboro District Court to larceny of more than $250 in a single scheme, according to court records.

Police allege Menard used a league ATM card to make withdrawals on a league bank account and went on a shopping spree with Kovalski, paid personal credit card bills and made purchases for food and gas that were not league related.

League officials went to police earlier this year after an audit showed alleged irregularities with the league's bank account, said Detective Sgt. Arthur Brillon, who handled the investigation. "The allegations are, and the investigation showed, there were ATM withdrawals in an irregular pattern. There were allegations they went on a shopping spree," Brillon said.

Some of the purchases were made in April through June of last year, while the football season runs from August to November.

Menard, who has been involved with Pop Warner for seven years, could not be reached for comment.

Her lawyer, Stella O'Leary of Fall River, declined to comment, saying she had just received a report about the case today.

When reached by The Sun Chronicle, Kovalski said, "No. I don't have any comment. I'm sorry."
The women were summonsed for arraignment and are free without bail. They are due back in court July 29. In a statement released this afternoon, Attleboro Pop Warner said its board was reorganized in January and that a financial audit was performed during the transition and discovered questionable transactions.

"We reviewed our finances with the Hockomock League, considered their input, and voted to turn the records over to the proper authorities for further investigation," said the statement signed by the organization's president, Scott Wilkins.

"The current board is made up of volunteers that share a common goal: We want to have a safe, fun, successful 2009 season. We wish to quell any uncertainties the public may have by assuring that proper checks and balances have been implemented by our new board to prevent similar instances in the future.

"We hope that the press and the public will allow the authorities to process this matter appropriately and allow the board to focus on planning and preparing for the 2009 football and cheerleading season," the statement said.


Pop Warner breaking bad. Nothing new.