Mayor Of Calif. City And His Wife Arrested In Theft Of $20K In Little League Funds

ADELANTO, Calif. (AP) _ The mayor and his wife were arrested Tuesday and charged with stealing more than $20,000 from Little League coffers, authorities said. <br/><br/>Jim and Kelly Nehmens were charged

Tuesday, April 10th 2007, 11:04 pm

By: News On 6

ADELANTO, Calif. (AP) _ The mayor and his wife were arrested Tuesday and charged with stealing more than $20,000 from Little League coffers, authorities said.

Jim and Kelly Nehmens were charged with three counts of grand theft by embezzlement. If convicted, they could each face up to nine years in prison. They posted $60,000 bail and were expected to be released late Tuesday.

Prosecutors believe between 2004 and 2006, the couple stole more than $20,000 from Little League fundraisers, mostly from the annual fireworks sale. Other money stolen by the couple came from registration and the snack bar, prosecutor John Goritz said.

The couple has been involved with Little League since 1999. Jim Nehmens, 50, has served as Adelanto Little League president and Kelly Nehmens, 44, was a board member for the past eight years.

The mayor previously has said he is innocent.

It wasn't immediately known if they had retained attorneys. A phone message left for Jim Nehmens at his city office was not immediately returned.

The city is about 85 miles northeast of Los Angeles.