Little League president charged in theft

Jace Radke

Thursday, Oct. 5, 2000 | 10:31 a.m.

Henderson Police have arrested a former Green Valley Little League president in connection with the disappearance of thousands of dollars from the league's coffers.

Former league president Tom Fico, 44, who resigned before the league's 2000 season began, has been charged with 17 counts of theft.

Fico, is alleged to have taken about $17,000 over a four-month period late last year, police said. Fico was booked into the Henderson Detention Center on Monday and released on his own recognizance Wednesday.

In January it became clear that there was a problem with league finances. The treasurer was not getting all of the receipts from the president, new league treasurer Chuck Jones said.

Jones, a Metro Police sergeant, was named treasurer earlier this year, and Mike Scala was named the league's new president. By using budget restraints, the league managed to have a successful 2000 season.

"We had to cut back on some umpires and hold some fund-raisers, but overall we're a lot better than where we were," Scala said.

The 900-player league, with participants between the ages of 5 and 16 years old, was able to send a senior boys team to playoffs in Winnemucca and is on the road to full financial recovery, Scala said.