A significant financial scandal has emerged within the South Fayette Township Youth Football Association, resulting in the arrest of its former treasurer. According to a criminal complaint filed on October 28, 2024, Jaella Richard, aged 41, is accused of misappropriating over $60,000 from the organization's funds. The president of the association discovered discrepancies in the bank statements and reported these irregularities to law enforcement. An investigation revealed that Richard allegedly used the association’s accounts for personal expenses, including payments to her family members, online retailers, and utility bills. She also reportedly transferred substantial amounts via Venmo and altered the PayPal account name to conceal her actions. With a total loss exceeding $64,000, legal proceedings against Richard are set to continue into the following month.

In late October 2024, concerns arose when the association's president noticed that the financial records reflected an alarmingly low balance—only $745.52 remained in the account, far less than the expected amount of over $60,000. Following this revelation, the president promptly alerted authorities at the South Fayette Police Department. During their inquiry, investigators reviewed detailed financial documents spanning from June 2024 to October 2024. These documents highlighted numerous unauthorized transactions, such as Venmo transfers to Richard's husband totaling more than $56,000, along with checks written to Amazon and other family members. As the treasurer, Richard had unrestricted access to the association's checking account, which facilitated these improper withdrawals.

Further examination uncovered additional misuse of the organization's digital payment platforms. Investigators found that Richard had exploited both PayPal and Venmo accounts linked to the youth football association for personal gain. For instance, she made purchases from well-known tech companies like Apple and frequently transferred funds to a credit union account under her control. This money was subsequently allocated toward various private expenditures, including mortgage payments, groceries, entertainment costs, and utility bills. In one notable instance, Richard admitted during questioning that she had utilized the association's resources to settle her own home equity line of credit with Key Bank. Despite promising restitution, no evidence of repayment was forthcoming by the deadline she mentioned.

Law enforcement officials were particularly troubled by the discovery that Richard had covertly renamed the association's PayPal account to bear her personal name instead of the organization's official title. This change indicated deliberate attempts to obscure her activities and hinder accountability. Through meticulous analysis of financial data, authorities calculated the exact sum embezzled: $64,742.75. Such findings underscore the gravity of the offense committed against the South Fayette Township Youth Football Association, whose funds were intended to support local young athletes rather than serve as a source of illicit income.

The unfolding legal saga surrounding Jaella Richard highlights the importance of vigilance and oversight in managing nonprofit organizations' finances. Her alleged actions not only jeopardized the future operations of the South Fayette Township Youth Football Association but also betrayed the trust placed in her by fellow board members and the community at large. As the case progresses toward its next court date, all eyes will remain focused on ensuring justice is served while safeguarding the integrity of similar groups moving forward.