Former Gurnee baseball treasurer pleads guilty to theft
A Grayslake-area man accused of stealing more than $80,000 from Gurnee Youth Baseball has pleaded guilty to theft in Lake County court.
Donald Schaefer, 53, of the 17000 block of West Windslow Drive in Lake County, was sentenced to 12 months probation after the plea agreement approved Oct. 8, said Cynthia Vargas, spokeswoman for the Lake County State's Attorneys Office.
As part of the plea deal, Schaefer was ordered to stay away from Gurnee baseball events, donate $500 to Lake County teen court, submit to random drug testing, and maintain employment while on probation, Vargas said.
Schaefer was not ordered to repay the money taken from Gurnee Youth Baseball, Vargas said. She said the restitution agreement was not needed in the criminal court case because Schaefer worked out an agreement in civil court to repay the money to Gurnee Youth Baseball.
Schaefer was arrested Dec. 9 on charges he stole more than $10,000 but less than $100,000 while serving as the league's volunteer treasurer.
In a letter from Gurnee Youth Baseball to its members and supporters last year, officials said Schaefer took $80,626 through checks and withdrawals from a league savings account.
League officials said they have taken corrective action to ensure a single volunteer will never again have control over association funds.