Ex-Little League treasurer sought

Police obtained an arrest warrant Thursday for a former Post Falls Little League treasurer accused of stealing more than $30,000 from the organization and skipping town.

James A. Harris, 37, is also being investigated by federal authorities for allegedly writing a counterfeit check to the league to repay the missing money, according to Post Falls police Det. Rod Gunderson.

Harris e-mailed his ex-wife, Lori Harris, and their two sons Wednesday evening, Gunderson said. He wrote that “there was too much now to ever come back” and that the family was “better off not having him around.”

“The gist of it is he’s not planning on returning,” Gunderson said.

He said police don’t know what Harris’ motive may have been for taking the money or how he may have spent it.

Harris’ ex-wife told police he hadn’t held down a job since February of last year.

He was reported missing Saturday by his mother, Andrea Harris. She told police her son called her three times that day, allegedly admitting he had stolen the money and wouldn’t be returning.

League President Scott Krallman couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Thursday. Earlier this week he said board members were still researching how much money was missing.

Krallman said it appeared Harris had “taken everything” and left the organization with an $18,000 debt.

After the board raised questions about the organization’s finances last week, Harris allegedly provided a counterfeit check for more than $28,000.

When the check bounced, the board discovered thousands of dollars in checks had been written to Harris on the league’s account.

Krallman said Monday he was hopeful the league’s insurance would cover the loss.

Police received information that Harris, who is wanted on $250,000 bond, may be in the Kamiah, Idaho, area east of Lewiston, Gunderson said.

“We have a welfare concern for this man’s safety and hope we can get him back here safely,” Gunderson said. “Criminally, he needs to answer to the charge of grand theft.”