The Golfmoor Baseball Association, a youth sports nonprofit in Evansville, Indiana, has filed a civil complaint against its former president, Sean Hopple, and his wife, Jessica Hopple, accusing the couple of stealing $18,000 from the organization and misappropriating hundreds of thousands of dollars over several years.

Uncovering a Troubling Pattern of Financial Mismanagement

Allegations of Theft and Misappropriation

The civil complaint, filed on Thursday, outlines a series of alleged breaches of the Hopples' financial duties to the Golfmoor Baseball Association. The nonprofit's board claims to have discovered these issues after Sean Hopple, who served as the league's president from 2019 to 2023, abruptly resigned in October 2023.According to the complaint, the Hopples used more than $18,000 from the organization's concessions fund for personal purchases between January 2021 and September 2023. However, the scope of the alleged thefts extends far beyond the misuse of concession funds.The lawsuit alleges that the Hopples "stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from Golfmoor" through various means, including routing payments intended for staff to themselves, failing to return baseball tournament entry fees, failing to return cash intended to cover concessions, and using their businesses to overcharge the league for services.

The Broader Impact on the Nonprofit

The civil complaint paints a concerning picture of the Hopples' alleged financial mismanagement and its impact on the Golfmoor Baseball Association. Attorney Alex Schmitt, who filed the suit on behalf of the league's current president, Brandon McClish, stated that the civil complaint goes beyond the $18,000 theft that led to Sean Hopple's arrest in October 2023.Schmitt emphasized that the civil suit is addressing "all of the rest of the money that was coming through their hands," suggesting a much more extensive pattern of financial impropriety. He also noted that the alleged thefts and misappropriation had a significant impact on the nonprofit, leaving it "strapped [for cash] when they didn't need to be."

Seeking Accountability and Restitution

The civil complaint names two of the Hopples' businesses, KMA of Evansville LLC and Triple S. Enterprises Inc., as defendants, alleging that these companies "overcharged" Golfmoor for services. This move suggests the nonprofit is seeking to hold the Hopples and their businesses accountable for the alleged financial misdeeds.Under Indiana law, the Hopples have 20 days to respond to the civil lawsuit. The docket in the case does not indicate whether they have secured legal counsel to defend against the allegations.The Golfmoor Baseball Association's decision to pursue a civil complaint, in addition to the criminal charges against Sean Hopple, underscores the organization's determination to seek justice and recover the funds it claims were misappropriated. The case highlights the importance of strong financial oversight and accountability within nonprofit organizations, especially those entrusted with the well-being of youth sports programs.