( Lebanon ) 44-year-old Michele Petrey of Springboro has been sentenced to three years community control, which includes 90 days in county jail, 100 hours community service, and restitution for stealing money from the Clearcreek Youth Soccer Association.

If she fails to comply with all of the terms of community control, she faces a possible prison sentence of 18 months.  The total loss to the organization was $64,800.56 of which Petrey has previously repaid $11,998.48.  Petrey’s attorney produced the balance of $52,802.08 at yesterday’s hearing.  Judge Peeler also ordered that Petrey shall not serve on any boards of any organizations in a voluntary capacity or in respect to finances.

In the summer of 2012, the Springboro Police Department received a complaint from new officers of the Clearcreek Youth Soccer Association about discrepancies in the organization’s bank accounts.  Working in conjunction with a forensic accountant from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, authorities determined that Petrey made 101 unauthorized payments from the organization’s accounts from 2008 through 2012.  Petrey was the treasurer of the organization and was solely responsible for handling all of the collections, payments, and accounting transactions of the organization from 2008 through 2012.

Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell complimented the Springboro Police Department and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation for their work on the case.  He also said this case should prompt all non-profit organizations to examine their systems for handling money.  “This case should serve as a warning to other charitable and youth organizations to implement anti-theft procedures and internal controls to prevent the misappropriation of funds, and that there are severe consequences for those who violate the trust placed in them,” said Fornshell.