Stoneham Men Accused of Stealing $50K From West Medford Little League

A Stoneham father and his son who have served as president and treasurer of the West Medford Little League organization for years have been charged with larceny for allegedly stealing more than $50,000 from the league, according to a press release from Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone's office.

Stanley Komins, 78, of Stoneham is charged with larceny by embezzlement over $250 and his son Stephen Komins, 45, also of Stoneham is charged with larceny by embezzlement over $250, uttering a false check, and forgery by check.

Both men will be arraigned on Jan. 4 in Somerville District Court.

"This father and son allegedly used their leadership positions to steal from the youth little league, taking money that was meant to be used for the West Medford youth baseball community for their own personal use," Leone said in the press release. "The defendants violated the trust of parents, players and the community."

A home phone number listed for both Stanley Komins and Stephen Komins was not in service. The District Attorney's office did not have information early Thursday afternoon on any attorneys representing either man.

Stanley Komins was president of the board of directors of the West Medford Little League for more than 20 years and Stephen Komins held the position of treasurer for many years, according to Leone's office.

In October 2011, Stanley Komins announced his retirement from the little league board and, according to Leone's office, the board inquired about the league's finances and Komins allegedly refused to provide past records. 

An auditing firm was hired by the league and noticed discrepancies in the little league records, the press release said. The Medford Police Department was contacted and, in conjunction with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, launched an investigation.

Authorities allege that between April 2007 and October 2011, Stanley Komins allegedly used various methods to embezzle from the little league.

Stanley Komins would write checks payable to himself from the little league account, for which he was not authorized, according to Leone's office, and cash or deposit these checks in his personal bank account, allegedly embezzling $38,000.  

Authorities also allege that between May 2009 and September 2011, Stanley Komins purchased items from BJ’s Wholesale Club using checks drawn from the little league account even though some of the items purchased were not related to the operation of the league. Stephen Komins faces the same allegation.

Stephen Komins also allegedly wrote checks to himself from the league account between December 2007 and July 2009, cashing a total of approximately $4,000 according to the press release. Then around March 2011 to May 2011, Stephen Komins would write checks to a friend from the league account, authorities allege, and the friend would cash the checks and give the cash back to Komins.

Leone's office also allege that Stanley and Stephen Komins took cash proceeds from the West Medford Little League refreshment stand, which was operated by one of the Komins during games. The Komins were responsible for depositing the cash from the snack stand into the league’s bank account, according to the press release.

Authorities allege that the deposits made into the account were inconsistent with the expected revenues from the snack stand, that records show that deposits to Stanley Komins personal bank account coincided with the seasonal operation of the refreshment stand and the currency deposited was consistent with snack stand transactions.

These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by Medford Police. The case was investigated by Assistant District Attorney Doug Nagengast of the PACT unit.

Information from a Middlesex District Attorney's Office press release was used in this report.