*NEWS RELEASE*
FORMER AYSO COMMISSIONER CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLEMENT OF $113,000

INDIO - Sharon Arline Schumaier, 41, the former regional commissioner of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) in La Quinta, has been charged with thirtynine felony counts of embezzlement by an official agent of an organization.

Between June 7, 2007 and May 25, 2009, Schumaier wrote thirty-nine checks either to her husband or the business she co-owns with her husband embezzling over $113,000. After Schumaier departed as the regional commissioner of AYSO, an internal review of the finances found irregularities in many of the checks Schumaier wrote. The finances reflected that the checks were issued as reimbursements for official costs associated with running AYSO. However, the payments could have been made directly from the AYSO account. It didn't make sense for Schumaier to be running AYSO expenses from her personal finances. AYSO officials reported the irregularities to the Sheriff's Department. An investigation showed that most of the checks were not written as reimbursements but instead, for the personal financial gain of Schumaier.

To facilitate her embezzlement, Schumaier created a fictitious character to serve as her regional auditor. Schumaier posed as the fictitious character and communicated with the area auditor via email. Despite the attempts of the area auditor to communicate over the phone with the regional auditor, Schumaier would only communication through email. When the area auditor was finally able to schedule a face to face meeting with the regional auditor, the regional auditor did not show up. By creating a fictitious auditor, Schumaier was able to control the AYSO finances without oversight.

Schumaier turned herself to authorities today, Aug. 12, 2009 and has posted $113,000 bail. Her arraignment has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on October 22, 2009 in Department 3N of the Larson Justice Center.

The case, INF066225, is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Brad Braaten.