Softball B.C. has been swindled out of $404,231 by the association's book keeper, leaving members shocked.
It was revealed at the annual general meeting held in Kelowna Saturday that the book keeper has been conning the association for two years.
"The victims are the members of Softball B.C., particularly the young people who play the game," said Bill Watson, district co-ordinator for Softball B.C. "We have over 60,000 members and half our members are young people."
In the association's draft for annual financial statements, it states that during the 2008 and 2009 fiscal year, an employee defalcation resulted in losses of $103,631 in 2008 and $204,100 in 2009, with a further anticipated loss in 2010 of $96,500 for a total of $404,231.
"We're in complete shock," Watson said. "Ultimately, the embezzlement will greatly affect the ability of Softball B.C. to deliver programs."
Watson was unable to provide the book keeper's name. He noted the fraud is under investigation by the RCMP.
