Former Dixie Youth Baseball President And Wife Arrested: Police

MULBERRY, FL — A Mulberry husband and wife were arrested on Thursday for spending $7,984 from the Mulberry Dixie Youth Baseball bank account for personal gain, authorities said.

James Wetherington, 45, is the former league president who served from August 2017 to June 2019. Detectives said during the transition to the current president, suspicious transactions on the previous Mulberry Dixie Youth Baseball bank account were discovered, and a CPA conducted a forensic audit at the new president's request.

Wetherington refused to give account access to the Midflorida bank account, and closed the account, according to a police report. He gave the new president two checks from the money left in the account. While Wetherington served as president, the volunteer treasurer stepped down in May 2018 because she said he made excuses when it came to providing receipts, and he would be very argumentative.

At that time, he appointed his wife, Elizabeth Wetherington, 36, as vice president and treasurer for the league. This violated the bylaws of the league since a third authorized signer on the account is acquired, said authorities.

Police said the fall league was canceled from November 2018 through January 2019 after members attempted to remove James Wetherington from the board because of numerous conflicts. The ongoing conflicts prompted parents to take their kids out of the league and enroll them in other leagues.

In spring 2019, attempts were made to restart the league, but James Wetherington announced on social media he canceled the spring league, and parents wanted their money back. They were slowly reimbursed for the fees they paid into the league, officials said.

During the spring cancellation, authorities said, is when the Wetheringtons used the Mulberry Dixie Youth Baseball bank cards.

The items they purchased were from Amazon, Home Depot, restaurants and different gas stations.

Polk County Sheriff's Office has charged both with scheme to defraud, grand theft and fraudulent use of credit card.