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Cloverdale couple charged with theft from youth baseball league
CLOVERDALE — The former president and treasurer of the Cloverdale Community Youth League are accused of stealing more than $21,000 from the league during their time in office.
In July, Indiana State Police Master Trooper Det. Brian Maudlin of the Putnamville State Police Post began an investigation into Stephen D. Caulkins, 41, and Amber D. Caulkins, 37, both of Cloverdale.
During Maudlin’s investigation it was discovered that the couple had allegedly deprived the Cloverdale Community Youth League (CCYL) of at least $21,848.51.
From 2018 through 2020, Stephen had served as president, while Amber had served as treasurer.
Police allege that during the period of their duties, the Caulkinses were not depositing funds into the league’s bank accounts, in order to benefit in self-gain.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Amber and Stephen Caulkins allegedly wrote themselves checks from the CCYL bank account on multiple occasions for “reimbursement,” however, no receipts were submitted. All checks written to the couple were also signed by Amber and/or Stephen Caulkins from the CCYL bank account in an amount unable to be verified by receipts totaling $4,481.08.
The probable cause affidavit also notes that CCYL members paid Caulkins cash for entry to games, which was recorded in the CCYL account as cash but no cash was ever deposited into the bank account on the dates recorded. The amount of undeposited cash from gate receipts was listed as $600.
Multiple checks were also written for cash for events that did not occur and no cash deposit was made to return that money to the account, the court document indicates. Checks written to cash in that regard total $3,919.
The probable cause affidavit also noted that a security camera purchase was requested by CCYL members due to vandalism at the park with an agreement indicating the purchase would not exceed $500. However, a check was subsequently written to Stephen Caulkins for $750 and no receipt was ever provided, court records indicate, leaving $197 unaccounted for in the camera transaction.
After reviewing the investigation, Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter issued a summons for each party to appear in Putnam Superior Court at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27.
Stephen and Amber Caulkins are each charged with theft and conspiracy to commit theft, both Level 6 felonies.