Almost $8,000 Stolen From SoLeHi Sports Association

A Bethlehem woman admitted stealing around $8,000 from the Southern Lehigh Sports Association while working as treasurer, according to court records.

Yvonne Vallone, 46, was the only one with access to SLSA accounts at PNC Bank. Almost $1,200 was taken from an account over three months.

Robert Shaffer, SLHS Boys Basketball Coach, and Kathleen Krause, a parent working with SLSA, called after hearing from Shirley Jimenez, assistant VP and branch manager of PNC Bank on Emmaus Avenue, reporting suspicious transactions from the association's accounts on Aug. 22, 2011, court records say.

Jimenez stated transactions mirrored personal bank use and Shaffer added they were unlike payments for tournaments, referees and league fees. Checks made out by Vallone did not clear and several hundred dollars had been removed after the deposits, according to court records. 

Phone calls to Vallone from Shaffer were not returned and she had moved, the arrest affidavit said.

Jimenez froze the SLSA accounts and police issued search warrants to receive the account information on Nov 10. After reviewing statements and transactions from the accounts, police confirmed purchases that appeared to be fraudulent.

Vallone was interviewed the next day and admitted taking $7,928.25 from the accounts, the criminal complaint says.

Vallone was arraigned last Monday (Feb. 27) on a charge of theft by unlawful taking. She was released on $15,000 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 19.