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In Sarasota, Florida, a former treasurer of the Sarasota Little League Baseball Association has been released on bond following allegations of embezzling over $200,000 from the organization. Authorities have charged Ahnaysa Turner with grand theft larceny of $100,000 or more, citing evidence from court records that suggest the funds were misappropriated over a span of approximately three months.
In response to the financial setback, the league organized a fundraising event on Saturday evening, aiming to recoup some of the lost funds in time for the upcoming season.
The Sarasota County Little League Baseball Association holds a special place in the hearts of many, including former player Hayden D’Hondt. Reflecting on his eight years with the league, D’Hondt shared with 8 On Your Side, “It’s really a chance to grow as a player and make new friends. It was also All-Stars for like the best players in the league. My last year, we made it to states.”
The Sarasota County Little League Baseball Association meant everything to Hayden D’Hondt, who told 8 On Your Side he played for eight years.
“It’s really a chance to grow as a player and make new friends. It was also All-Stars for like the best players in the league. My last year, we made it to states,” D’Hondt said.
“I felt really sad that someone would do that to these poor kids,” D’Hondt said.
According to court records, Turner was accused of stealing more than $200,000 from the league’s funds between November 2022 and September 2025.
Upon assuming the role of Sarasota Little League President in July of 2025, Alexis Meininghaus said she noticed discrepancies and suspicious charges on Turner’s league-issued credit card, along with thousands of dollars missing from the account.
Court records indicate Meininghaus requested the league’s bank account and financial records from Turner in Aug. of 2025 but did not receive them until Oct. of 2025.
“We had only about $950 left in our account when we found out about it, and we didn’t have enough to continue letting the kids play ball,” Meininghaus said. “We have county facility fees we have to pay. We have balls for a loan over $10,000 a season. The uniforms, of course. So there’s a number of things.”
Meininghaus said the league typically kept between $80,000 and $120,000 in its bank account.
She added the league was working to catch up on debt and paused future projects, including a dugout upgrade and the installation of new scoreboards.
Paraphernalia, food, player and celebrity memorabilia were sold at the fundraiser all in an effort, parents said, that would help the league recover.
“It’s very important that you get these kids, you have the funding that they need,” parent Jill Geisdorf said. “Our community is strong and we’re rallying, and we’re going to come back,” she said.
Turner has an arraignment scheduled for Dec. 12.