Former youth league commissioner charged with grand larceny
Press Release, Sheriff Scott Hess
MEDINA – A Town of Ridgeway man has been arrested after he allegedly misappropriated several thousand dollars in funds belonging to the Medina L.O.Y.A.L. (Lake Ontario Youth Athletic League) Youth Football Program.
Elija H. Howard, 41, is accused of making numerous transactions using the program’s debit/credit card for purchases that were not legitimate. This occurred over a lengthy period of time during which Howard was the league commissioner. This was a joint investigation conducted by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the Major Felony Crimes Task Force.
Howard was charged on Monday with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, a D Felony. He appeared before Town of Ridgeway Justice Joseph Kujawa and was subsequently released on bail. His next scheduled court appearance date is June 19.
The incident investigation and subsequent arrest was conducted by Investigator C.L. Black of the Task Force and Investigator K.M. Strickland Jr. of the Sheriff’s Office.
