Lawsuit: Bethel Baseball Association Awarded Over $200K

BETHEL, CT — The former treasurer of the Bethel Baseball Association, charged with embezzling money from the league, has been ordered to pay over $200,000 to the group after losing a lawsuit in state Superior Court in Danbury last week.

Kurt Dyer and his wife were arrested and charged with larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny in April 2020, following a complaint made by the BBA and a police investigation. The charges against Jennifer Dyer were later dropped.

After Dyer's term as treasurer had ended, police say that a new treasurer noted several purchases made to former board member Dyer's BBA-issued debit card that involved "suspicious cash back transactions."

Police obtained search warrants for transaction records and receipts related to the use of Dyer's card at locations that included Costco, BJ's Wholesale, Sam's Club, Big Y and Staples where the Dyers had membership accounts.

According to the police report, a review of these receipts against BBA bank records revealed the Dyers had made fraudulent purchases totaling $25,205.52 with the BBA debit card. Purchases included woman's clothing, home goods, gasoline, and foods not associated with BBA activities. Police say that Dyer would also make purchases at Dick's Sporting Goods and later return the goods and receive cash back.

The BBA recovered $25,000 that Dyer had allegedly embezzled in September 2021, but had sued Dyer for over $200, 000 in November 2020, for damages and interest.

Although there was "no 'smoking gun' in this matter," a Danbury judge determined there was sufficient evidence to "establish that the defendant, without authorization, assumed and exercised ownership over funds belonging to the BBA to its exclusion," according to a memorandum of decision issued last week.