Former South Portland soccer club board member under investigation for missing funds
The South Portland Police Department is investigating the misappropriation of funds within the South Portland Strikers, a nonprofit youth soccer organization that plays home games at Wainwright sports complex.
Chief Daniel Ahern said that the department doesn’t know how much money was taken and would not share how many people the department is investigating.
The Strikers board became aware of a former board member potentially using club funds for unauthorized purposes in 2025 and 2026, according to president Gabriel Harp. He said that the club is cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.
“We are not characterizing this as embezzlement or making conclusions about criminal conduct,” Harp said.
The soccer club deferred expenses and reduced or eliminated discretionary items from the 2026 budget, according to an email that went out to families. The club spent about $50,000 in 2025, per board meeting minutes, and it was projected to have about $6,500 in reserves for the 2026 year, per the beginning of the budget process.
Last year, the club had more than 270 athletes between the ages of 7 and 13, fielding 20 teams that play their home games at Wainwright sports complex and travel for games across the state.
The club offers scholarships to more than 50 players, or about 19% of the club, so that uniform costs and registration fees aren’t a barrier for children to play soccer. The Strikers are supported through individual donors, grants and local business sponsorships.
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Tagged: south portland police department, youth sports
Dana Richie is a community reporter covering South Portland and Cape Elizabeth. Originally from Atlanta, she fell in love with the landscape and quirks of coastal New England while completing her undergraduate. More by Dana Richie
