The former president of an Alameda swim team was charged this week with three felonies after authorities say she stole from the nonprofit club.
Sarah Lynn New, 45, faces three counts of embezzlement after stealing “a large amount of funds” from the swim team, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announced on Wednesday. She did not say how much New is accused of taking from the nonprofit; television station ABC7 reported that the total topped $50,000.
The charges allege that New stole money and property from the swim team on three separate dates in early-to-mid April.
“Today is a first step in holding her accountable and providing the community assurance that this type of behavior will not be tolerated wherever it occurs,” said Price, at a press conference.
Rabin Nabizadeh, an attorney for New, declined to comment beyond saying he was “curious why this case would garner this much press, given the prevalence of violent crime.”
In a statement, the swim team said the alleged theft had “significantly” affected the program, but did not provide specifics.
“The charges reflect the serious nature of the financial and emotional damage inflicted on our team, and we are grateful that the harm done to our organization and its staff has been recognized by the legal system,” the statement said. It added that the club’s “primary focus remains on the future,” and the team expressed confidence that “with the support of our community, we will emerge stronger and more resilient.”
It was not immediately clear when New held the position of board president. The team, which was created in 1979, is operated by the nonprofit Alameda Swimming Pool Association, according to the Gators’ website. It’s run by a volunteer parent board and caters to people ages 5 and older.
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