Ex-Hockey Association Employee Charged with Theft

An Inver Grove Heights woman who worked as the Inver Grove Heights Hockey Association’s gambling manager has been charged with theft after authorities say she stole more than $1,000 from the organization.

Shelle Anne Radant, 35, faces a felony charge of theft, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. 

Radant is scheduled to make a first appearance on the charge July 25 in Dakota County District Court in Hastings.

According to the criminal complaint, the Minnesota Alcohol Gambling Enforcement Division received a complaint in June 2009 from the Gambling Control Board about shortages in bingo proceeds for the hockey association.

The group ran bingo operations at Jersey’s Bar & Grill in Inver Grove Heights, and Radant oversaw those operations and was the only person responsible for the money earned through those operations, the complaint says. Radant also was responsible for making bank deposits of the proceeds.

“A review of the paperwork revealed that not all of the money profited by the association was deposited into the association’s bank account,” the complaint says.

At the end of each day’s gaming, Radant and another person would count the cash, sign the paperwork and put the money into a bank deposit bag, according to the complaint.

Between July 2, 2008, and Nov. 30, 2008, the complaint says, Radant stole more than $1,000 from the association.

The association’s president, Jodi Royce, told the Pioneer Press that Radant no longer works for the organization, and that she was not surprised by the criminal charge against her. She did not comment further.

Royce did not return calls from Patch seeking comment.

The hockey association has been in difficult financial straits for several years.  Association officials said earlier this year that enrollment in the association has declined by 50 percent in the last few years, and if the skid continues, the group may be forced to merge with another community association or cease operations entirely within five years.