Sgt. Daniel Valadas said Rachael Melanson was head of the Ludlow Youth Cheerleading Association and a founder and had control of its debit card. Valadas said he believes Keith Melanson was a board member.
LUDLOW - Police arrested a Chicopee couple Thursday night and charged them with embezzling over $5,000 from the Ludlow Youth Cheerleading Association.
Keith D. Melanson, 32, and his wife, Rachael C. Melanson, 32, both face five counts of larceny over $250 (felony embezzlement) and a single count of larceny under $250 (misdemeanor embezzlement).
Sgt. Daniel Valadas said police began their investigation after members of the Ludlow Youth Cheerleading Association suspected fraudulent cash withdrawals and debits from the LYCA account. An estimated $5,400 was taken.
Valadas said Rachael Melanson was head of the association and a founder and had control of its debit card. Valadas said he believes Keith Melanson was a board member.
The association disbanded on Sept. 23 as a result of the alleged thefts, Valadas said. Its remaining funds were transferred to a new organization called Ludlow Lion Youth Cheer.
The Melansons are slated to be arraigned Friday in Palmer District Court.