Published on: January 2, 2026, at 04:26h.
Updated on: January 2, 2026, at 04:27h.
- A previous treasurer of a youth softball league allegedly embezzled funds through casino ATMs.
- A lawsuit states the treasurer withdrew $110,000 in cash from tribal casinos.
Authorities in Minnesota allege that a former treasurer of a youth softball association embezzled over $110,000 during a span of nearly five years.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has filed a lawsuit against Kristin Allyenne Williams, 52, from Maple Grove, accusing her of making unauthorized cash withdrawals from the accounts of the Plymouth Wayzata Youth Softball Association (PWYSA) over a period of four and a half years. Her alleged activities came to light in February 2025 during a financial review of the tax-exempt organization, which ultimately resulted in her termination.
Tim Lyons, the Association President, alerted law enforcement last year regarding Williams’ alleged ATM withdrawals at tribal casinos. She reportedly disguised the nature of these transactions, categorizing them as “clinic expenses” and “equipment” associated with the softball organization’s activities.
The volunteer-run group aims to cultivate enthusiasm for fastpitch softball while teaching girls the significance of teamwork and sportsmanship, boosting their self-esteem and softball skills in a positive setting. PWYSA organizes competitive leagues for players aged 14U, 16U, and 18U.
Casino Transactions
According to prosecutors in Hennepin County, Williams initiated numerous unauthorized ATM transactions at the Mystic Lake Casino and Little Six Casino, both located in Prior Lake. These casinos are owned and managed by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.
Williams was the sole individual in the organization with access to the U.S. Bank online banking account. Officials from PWYSA indicated to investigators that there was no valid reason for Williams to withdraw cash.
The allegations do not clarify if Williams used the misappropriated funds for gambling activities. Given the significant service fees at casino ATMs, they are typically considered an undesirable option unless for those in dire need of cash.
The inquiry into the youth softball organization’s financial affairs began after the IRS sent a notice stating that its tax-exempt status had been revoked due to the failure to file annual tax returns for three consecutive years.
Williams is facing charges for felony theft by swindle, with a court appearance scheduled for January 21. A conviction for this charge could lead to a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and fines reaching up to $15,000.
Williams has an otherwise unremarkable criminal history, with her only recorded offense being a misdemeanor from 2013 for not displaying license plates.
Exploitation of Youth Sports
In May of the previous year, the treasurer of a Little League Baseball chapter in Connecticut passed away unexpectedly at the age of 57. An investigation later revealed that Kenneth Grohs Jr., who had been the treasurer of the Union City Little League for over two decades, had been stealing funds from the organization to sustain his online gambling habits.
A public investigation released in September 2025 uncovered that Grohs had embezzled over $165,000 from the Little League to finance his FanDuel account. Legal online sports betting and casino gambling launched in Connecticut in October 2021, with FanDuel and DraftKings holding a monopoly on online gaming in partnership with tribal entities Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.