Woman Accused Of Stealing $200K From Youth Hockey League

RICHMOND, TX — A woman who served as treasurer of a local youth hockey league, is facing embezzlement charges.

The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office arrested Michele Bernier after she was accused of stealing more than $200,000 from a youth hockey league.

Investigators said the shortages were discovered by the league president while he was budgeting for the league.

He told deputies that he confronted Bernier about the shortages and that she allegedly confessed to him that she'd been withdrawing money from the league’s bank account since she became treasurer in 2013.

Bernier said she took the funds because of her family’s financial hardship.

League officials conducting the audit determined that since Bernier became the league treasurer she'd stolen $223,327.

The club’s president told investigators that Bernier, who has hired an attorney, offered $45,000 in restitution, but the league rejected the offer.

“I cannot imagine why anyone would steal money being used to support a youth group,” said Sheriff Troy Nehls. “For five years, she pocketed almost a quarter of a million dollars while the kids in the hockey league went without. Shame, shame.”

She is charged with felony theft with her bond set at $224,000.

Image: FBSO

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