MOUNT DORA POLICE INVESTIGATE MISSING FUNDS FROM YOUTH BASEBALL PROGRAM

Mount Dora Police are investigating allegations that the Mount Dora Babe Ruth (MDBR) organization was the victim of grand theft --between $20,000 to $100,000 -- by one of the youth league’s own officers.

The investigation began on October 21 after the local baseball league’s vice president, Frank Remsen, met with police regarding allegations the all-volunteer group’s treasurer took funds from its bank account for personal use.  According to the MDBR board, the missing funds were to benefit every child in the league. 

“It was discovered over the last few days that our, now former, Mount Dora Babe Ruth Treasurer, Holly Jukuri, inappropriately and wrongfully misappropriated almost all of our league funds for personal use without the consent, approval or knowledge of any current MDBR Board Members,” alleged a message to parents and players from the MDBR board on October 21.   Jukuri’s children participated in the league.  

After being alerted to the problem, the board investigated the lack of cash deposits with its bank and ensured no additional funds could be jeopardized.  The league often generates cash for bank deposits from the fields’ concession stand sales.

​The board met in an emergency board meeting on October 20 in which Jukuri did not answer any questions on the advice of her lawyer, nor did she submit requested receipts.  She voluntarily resigned and the board voted to remove her husband, Nick Jukuri, from the Board and as a coach due to an alleged conflict of interest and pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the board’s message and minutes from the meeting.

The board credited MDBR’s system of checks and balances with the uncovering of the alleged crime.  Mount Dora Police Department could not release additional information due to the pending investigation.  

“The season will continue on and games will be played. We will have umpires for games. Our coaches will still give their hearts and time to the children, practice after practice and game after game,” wrote the MDBR board.

Mount Dora Babe Ruth was founded in 1957 and solely relies on volunteers for coaching, field preparations, fundraising and other operations.  In communities across the U.S. and Canada, close to a million young baseball and softball players participate under the Babe Ruth League umbrella every season.  The program uses regulation competitive rules, teaches skills, mental and physical development, a respect for the rules of the game, and basic ideals of sportsmanship and fair play. 

If anyone would like to make a donation to Mount Dora Babe Ruth, please contact the organization directly here.
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