Former head of Crystal Lake Baseball charged with stealing from group

The former head of Crystal Lake Baseball is accused of stealing money from the organization, Lake in the Hills police said in a Friday news release.

Police said that, in January 2018, league board members noticed suspicious activity in the league's bank account and contacted police.

After a lengthy investigation, it was determined that former league president Joey S. Maurer, 44, made unauthorized cash withdrawals and purchases of about $25,000 between November 2014 and September 2016 using Crystal Lake Baseball funds, according to the news release.

A warrant was secured for his arrest, charging him with theft of more than $10,000. Maurer, of Crystal Lake, was released from the McHenry County jail in August after posting $5,000 bail, police said. His trial is scheduled for Nov. 20.

Crystal Lake Baseball is a not-for-profit corporation that provides in-house and travel baseball programs for children ages 4 to 12. It is funded by player fees, fundraising, corporate sponsorships and concession sales.