Sugar Loaf man arrested for stealing from Warwick Youth Football
Warwick Michael Sura, former treasurer for the Warwick Youth Football and Cheerleading Club, was arrested on Saturday by state police after allegedly admitting he stole more than $33,000 from the group. Sura, 42, a self-employed electrician from Sugar Loaf, served as treasurer for the club from 2006 through December 2007. When new board members took over in January, they requested the financial records from Sura, who refused, according to state police Senior Investigator John Van Der Molen. Club president George Pinkham went to the state police to report the club’s suspicions. “Sura came in with the books,” said Van Der Molen. “He said he had personal financial issues and liens against his business. He also said he had been reimbursing the league sporadically and that $33,000 was still outstanding.” Van Der Molen said he doesn’t know how much, if anything, was paid back to the club by Sura, nor the total amount that was stolen. “There doesn’t seem to be a lot of checks and balances in these leagues,” Van Der Molen added. “It seems more commonplace lately. Over the last few years you see lots of this volunteer ambulance, drum and bugle corps. They put volunteers in positions to oversee the money. Maybe it’s because of the economy, but it’s a shame.” The league has made changes in its procedures since the discovery. On its Web site, www.warwickyouthfootball.org, the club announced it would get written approval from both the president and the treasurer for all purchases. Each month the treasurer will submit a detailed ledger of the financial activity, along with a copy of the bank statement. The president will have immediate online access to all accounts. An audit committee will be appointed to oversee the financial activity of the club. There was also a special meeting planned for last night. Sura was charged with third-degree larceny, a felony. He was released on $2,500 bail. “What is sad is that he was stealing from the kids in the community and those who volunteer their time,” said Van Der Molen. “These are the people you are cheating. It’s a shame.”