Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE -- The former president of the Mountain View Athletic Association -- accused of bilking the organization of nearly $50,000 -- was arrested Friday afternoon.

Gwinnett County police confirmed that Steven Dewayne Brindle was booked into jail just after 4 p.m. Friday and, for now, charged with a single count of felony theft by conversion. The police investigation into Brindle's actions as the leader of the Mountain View Athletic Association, a nonprofit that offers youth sports programs at Dacula's Rabbit Hill Park, began only recently after the group filed an official report.

MVAA officials reportedly first noticed about $45,000 in missing funds last August and had been logging the abnormalities since.

Dozens of odd charges to athletic association accounts have been discovered, the current president told police, including: several car payments, Kenny Chesney concert tickets, a "Save the Manatee" contribution and at least five ATM withdrawals of more than $1,000.

Brindle is believed responsible for the transactions after allegedly transferring funds from at least one of the MVAA's seven accounts, then using a debit card to make unauthorized purchases.

The investigation was triggered within the organization after a member came forward needing additional money for a particular sport's account. The group offers sports including baseball, softball, lacrosse, wrestling, football and cheerleading.

As of early Friday evening, Brindle remained in jail without bond.