The former president of the Healdsburg Youth Soccer League pleaded no contest Monday to stealing the organization's funds, as part of a deal that will lessen his time in jail if he makes significant restitution.
Kyle Joseph Hoffman, 38, pleaded no contest to three counts of grand theft for each of the three years he was president and treasurer, from 2008 to 2010.
Under the plea agreement with prosecutors, he will be sentenced to nine months in jail, but may receive less time if he makes "substantial" restitution payments prior to the start of the soccer season.
His sentencing by Judge Ken Gnoss is set for Aug. 17.
"What's important to us is that the victim is made as whole as possible," Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch said of the need to help restore the soccer league's finances.
She noted that Hoffman will be eligible for work furlough or home confinement, but the decision will be up to the judge.
Hoffman will also be placed on three years probation and if he violates the conditions, could face a maximum four years and four months in prison, according to Ravitch.
Hoffman was accused of taking more than $53,000 in 70 fraudulent transactions.
The league serves the greater Healdsburg, Geyserville and Alexander Valley areas for about 300 boys and girls ranging from ages 4 to 18.
Most of the soccer league's funds come from the registration fees paid by players' families, and are intended for field fees, uniforms, equipment and other costs.
Many of the check memo entries indicated they were written to reimburse Hoffman for league expenses. But league members told police that despite repeated requests, he did not provide them with bank statements or receipts for any of the expenses to demonstrate they were legitimate.
Authorities said he essentially was writing checks to himself from the league's bank account in amounts from $60 to $3,180, apparently for personal expenses.
League board members discovered something was amiss last summer when bills started going unpaid and checks bounced for basic expenses like striping the soccer fields.
Publicity over the case led to an outpouring of financial support for the league. It generated around $12,000 in donations, including contributions from the San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team and from Adidas.
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