Former Gonzales Little League board member Almaguer charged with theft

A former Gonzales Little League board member has been arrested and charged with theft for the alleged embezzlement and misuse of organizational funds first reported last year.

A Gonzales County grand jury has indicted Jennifer Condel Almaguer, 44, of Gonzales, for theft of more than $30,000 but less than $150,000, a third-degree felony. She was arrested Friday, Nov. 4, on a capias warrant and booked into the Gonzales County Jail. She bonded out Friday afternoon on a $10,000 surety bond.

On May 6, 2021, Little League officers made a report to the Gonzales Police Department regarding theft from their organization. That same day, new GLL vice president Dane King told the Inquirer, “We are in possession of a signed confession regarding the embezzlement of league funds.” King also said an independent third-party financial audit was being conducted to determine the impact to the league.

The league is cooperating with law enforcement on in the investigation, King said.

Gonzales Little League uses city-owned fields at Independence Park. The city now requires the league to provide proof of insurance and financial statements in exchange for use of the fields.

The Inquirer obtained the last financial statement submitted by the league before the investigation into embezzlement took place. A financial statement dated Feb. 28, 2021 and turned into to the city showed a $11,450 balance in the league’s checking account, which matches listed income of registration fees rolled over from a cancelled 2020 season ($8,950), sponsorship of shirts rolled over from 2020 ($2,100) and sponsorship banner fees from 2020 ($400). A list of 11 expense items each showed no balance, leaving a net income of $11,450.

A second page of the statement noted: "With the cancellation of the Little League for the 2020 season the Little League only incurred the following expenses for the 2020 cancelled season.

"$3,239.07 — Charter fees and Insurance

"$170.17 — Printing fees for Registration packets and volunteer forms.

"The Little League did receive some income with preregistration and some sponsors that sent in money prior to the cancellation and those amounts were rolled over to the 2021 Little League season."

There was no reference to refunds for parents whose children aged out of Little League in 2021 and were unable to play in 2020 due to the season cancellation after paying fees.

Former District 2 City Councilman Tommy Schurig was one of the most outspoken critics regarding the Little League and seeking answers about how the league had spent money. Schurig said that the value depicted in the financial report presented to the Council was $11,500, which was not broken down by individual expenses like concessions. He cited instances of the Little League board running out of items like chalk, and having a broken popcorn machine, and not replacing or repairing them due to a lack of funds.

Schurig also said that registration fees no longer covered a shirt and baseball cap as it had in the past, with children having only been provided shirts. He indicated parents had been calling him concerned about what had happened to the league’s finances.

Former publisher Steve Fountain contributed to this report.