A non-profit for children and teens says a former employee embezzled more than $200,000. The organization is suing a former bookkeeper, claiming she took the money to remodel her home.
Out of its gym near Golden Gate Park, AcroSports Gymnastics and Sports Activity Center works with 2,500 children and teenagers from across the Bay Area every week. They even go in to public schools, helping out with PE classes for schools who can't afford them.
According to the lawsuit filed in San Mateo Superior Court, former AcroSports bookkeeper Valerie Kerr stole more than $200,000 that should have gone to kids.
The suit alleges Kerr and her husband Jeffrey Charles used much of the money to renovate their house in South San Francisco.
AcroSports is a non-profit that teaches kids and teens gymnastics, acrobatics. The suit alleges that Kerr falsified financial records to hide the money being taken.
The Kerr’s neighbors were stunned by the allegations.
Local
"I thought they were wonderful people,” Geno Baldisseri said. “To find out that she embezzled—I don't know why somebody would do that, because he worked hard, and I thought he was making a real good living."
Attempts to reach the Kerrs for comment were not successful.
Attorneys for AcroSports advised the non-profit not to talk to reporters about the case, but the organization did say its programs have continued despite the missing cash.
Kerr worked at AcroSports until Jan. 18, 2011, according to The Daily Journal, when her alleged embezzlement was uncovered.
The non-profit is seeking punitive damages of $500,000.
