Softball probe goes to Metro

Steve Sebelius

Tuesday, Aug. 6, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Metro Police fraud detectives have taken over the investigation of alleged embezzlement of at least $1,350 from the city of Las Vegas' softball program.

City auditors could not find receipts for the missing money, $450 each from three softball team managers who paid in cash to participate in city leagues, said city spokeswoman Nadia Wiggins. Sign-up forms were later found with the word "comp" written on them, and the money disappeared, she said.

Wiggins said the staff of the softball program should have written receipts for any cash received, and the lack of documentation means the investigation will go forward. However, no one has been suspended or fired as a result of the inquiry, she said.

"All we demonstrated was that there were no receipts," Wiggins said.

Now, Metro's fraud detectives will take over the case. They were brought in last week at the request of Mayor Jan Laverty Jones after the case came to light.

The investigation has been hampered by the fact that the sign-up sheets are routinely discarded after a softball season ends, and the alleged thefts took place last season. So far, only three team managers have said they paid in cash when their sign-up sheets later turned up with the word "comp" written on them.

"We don't keep any of those records. We throw them away," Wiggins said. Team managers apparently were unaware of the scheme.

Teams sometimes are comped if they provide goods or services in trade with the city. Team fees are used to pay umpires and for maintenance of fields. Each year, hundreds of teams compete in city softball leagues.