Former youth soccer board members indicted on embezzlement charges

Two women have been indicted by a grand jury in Kanawha County for using a credit/debit card belonging to a youth soccer program for non-work related purchases.

According to the indictment, Crystal Lawrence and Kyra Phillips are charged with embezzlement and fraudulent use of an access device.

The indictment states the spending in question happened in 2015 and 2016 at various clothing stores, restaurants, and utility companies.

The court document alleges the women spent more than $5,000.

During that time, Lawrence was president of the Riverside Youth Soccer Club, and Phillips was the treasurer.

"It's sad for the kids they work hard to have a good league up here and to have it destroyed and tarnished is bad," current Riverside Youth Soccer Club President Jonathan Wriston told WSAZ.

The club is part of the Kanawha Valley Soccer League. Now the league is working to make sure embezzlement doesn't happen at other teams throughout the organization.

League President Aaron Wood said the KVSL has changed best practices for handling money.

Both Crystal Lawrence and Kyra Phillips are scheduled to appear in court Thursday, Nov. 2.

UPDATE

Two women accused of embezzling thousands from a kids soccer program say they're not guilty.

Crystal Lawrence and Kyra Phillips were arraigned Thursday for allegedly taking money meant for teams.

Indictment paperwork says the women were spending it on everything from shopping sprees to paying off personal utility bills.

Both women were serving as board members for the Riverside Youth Soccer Club.

Their trial is set for Dec. 4.

Original Article available HERE.