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45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, November 13, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 9, 2004 Local woman pays back $2,300 for lesser charge Charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor in the theft of $6,000 from hoop program By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune A Central Point woman accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a boys’ basketball program has paid back $2,300 to reduce the charges she faces and enable the kids to start their season. Sandra Lee Bleth, 42, was indicted on a first-degree theft charge in July after admitting to police that she had taken roughly $6,000 from Central Point-Crater boys’ Amateur Athletic Union basketball teams, said David Orr, a deputy district attorney for Jackson County. She was initially set to go to trial on the charge Nov. 3. Because the basketball program needed money to start the season, Bleth agreed to pay back $2,300 Nov. 1. In return, the prosecution agreed to change the felony theft charge to a misdemeanor, Orr said. Bleth will plead guilty to that charge Monday. A court hearing to set restitution will be held later, he said. "We are in the red right now," said Bob Lee, a board member of Central Point AAU basketball program. Advertisement The program includes teams for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade boys, and has about 36 kids participating this year, he said. The teams will begin play in December, but organizers are concerned that they can afford fewer tournaments than usual this year. They also are looking for ways to save money on uniforms. The fee to play has risen to $150 this year, from $120 in past years. A scholarship for a Crater High School graduate who participated in the program wasn’t funded last year because no money was available, officials said. "It’s a little hardship on the boys," Lee said. "The whole fund was gone." Lee’s wife, Sandy, a parent volunteer with the organization, said the basketball program raises money for its teams with a tournament in January. Bleth served as co-treasurer of that tournament, but didn’t provide a financial statement to board members. The board investigated in the spring and found Bleth had written checks to herself, her husband and to her account for cash. Board members went to Central Point police. During the investigation, Bleth told police she had used some money from the basketball account to help with family problems and to pay for her daughter’s participation in softball, reports said. Orr estimated Bleth misappropriated about $6,000 from the basketball program, starting in April 2003. Sandy Lee said Bleth repaid $1,500 before the board contacted authorities. The program still owes $1,100 for T-shirts and sweatshirts for the January tournament, and expenses for the coming season are starting to roll in. Sandy Lee said community sponsors have helped with some expenses, such as insurance. The program has instituted tougher accountability standards for its funds and hopes to be back on track by the end of the season. Bleth’s attorney, Martin Capetz, didn’t respond to a call about the case Monday. Reach reporter Anita Burkeat 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities