A hockey mom from Chelsea has been charged with embezzling over $800,000 from a youth hockey organization.

According to police, Kimberly Knight volunteered to balance the bank books for the Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association, then helped herself to close to $1 million dollars of the association's money.

"At first it was rather small amounts here or there," said Det. Jami Grigal of the Pittsfield Township Police Department. "Most likely there was an intention of paying (the money) back and then when the pay backs weren't coming more money was needed."

Grigal said Knight used the money to shower herself and family members with extravagant gifts that included vehicles, jewelry and vacations.

"As the investigation began I basically had to track that money and find out where it went," Grigal said. "We located a Cadillac Escalade that was purchased. There was a dump truck purchased, there were a couple family vacations."

Police said the 2005 Escalade was registered to Knight's husband, but that he is not suspected of any wrongdoing. The dump truck, Grigal said, was allegedly for Knight's struggling family business.

According to case documents obtained by Local 4 News, Knight wrote 50 personal checks to herself. Some of the spending reported by Local 4 included; $3,890 for diamond earrings, a $2,800 bracelet, a watch for $5,300 and another $5,300 for 33 Pandora beads. Police said the checks were cashed between February 2005 and May 2007 and were written in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $17,000.

Those funds, according to police, came from one of several personal accounts Knight set-up at local banks where the association also had accounts. Police said using the same bank made it easier for Knight to make transfers and purchases easier.

"The parents aren't seeing an interruption in their kid's hockey activities, and they're still going on as business as usual, but the money invested for capital projects or a 'rainy day' are gone," Grigal said, who added that some of the money is still unaccounted for.

"It's a sickening situation when money that is supposed to go to the kids is spent on personal needs. That's pretty low," said Matt Dejanovich, a team sponsor whose son plays in the organization. "We've got a great hockey program and it deserves a lot better."

Knight remains free on personal bond and will appear for a preliminary hearing March 5.

source: clickondetroit.com

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