NAUGATUCK — Police say they are investigating missing funds from a local Little League bank account.
The Naugatuck Police Department said it received a complaint from Union City Little League officials on May 12 regarding a possible theft of money.
The investigation stems from concerns that were raised by the league’s board of directors after they discovered the league’s bank account was missing funds, according to a police department statement.
“Upon discovery of the discrepancy, the league’s board of directors immediately notified local law enforcement authorities and deactivated the previously issued bank card and accounts,” Union City Little League President Megan Silva said in a statement. “Because this is an ongoing police investigation, it would be inappropriate for Union City Little League to comment any further.”
Naugatuck Police Chief Colin McAllister said the department will need to conduct an investigation into the accounting and go through bank records to determine if a financial crime has taken place.
Silva would not say how much money was missing from the league’s bank account or comment further. McAllister also declined to comment further since the investigation is ongoing.
In May 2024, the state legislature gave the Union City Little League a $200,000 grant from unexpended American Rescue Plan Act funds. The town’s other Little League, the Peter J. Foley Little League of Naugatuck, also was awarded $200,000 in ARPA funds.
Silva said the ARPA funds for Union City Little League were partially used for the concession stand renovations as well upgrading the league’s retaining wall and new roofs for the four dugouts. There is one baseball field and one softball field for the league at 165 Morris St.
Union City Little League offers instructional leagues for girls and boys to learn softball and baseball beginning with T-Ball leagues and progressing through major divisions, according to its website.
In a May 16 post on Facebook, Silva wrote that the missing funds “were intended for essential renovations and improvements for our players.”
“Our primary concern is the impact this may have on our young athletes and the future of the league,” Silva wrote in the Facebook post. “Our goal is to ensure the continuity of the league and maintain the programs that our children cherish.”