KATY, Texas – New details are emerging in a growing controversy surrounding Katy American Little League, as parents, coaches, current and former board members continue to raise concerns about transparency and how money is being handled.
This comes after a parent filed a lawsuit in Harris County earlier this week, claiming the league refused to turn over financial and election records.
Board members questioned finances in private messages
KPRC 2 has obtained screenshots of text messages appearing to show even board members questioning how money is being handled.
“So where is all this money going then if you’re bringing in a reporter 8-12k yet we only pay 5-7k for moonwalks?” the board member asked.
Former board member says numbers didn’t add up
Ruben Reyna, a former board member, said those types of concerns date back years.
“When we noticed at the end of the year that they posted all the expenses, the amount of money that we paid the umpires did not match what the website said,” Reyna said.
Reyna’s wife Amy was the Umpire in Chief, in charge of paying umpires.
He said she tracked each game and payment, but there was an $8k discrepancy in one season.
“We went to district and asked for an audit and nothing came out of it,” he said.
Director listed on tax forms has prior theft case
KPRC 2 also found that one of the individuals listed as a director on the league’s IRS Form 990, Mandi Ramey, pleaded guilty to a theft charge in 2012 and was placed on deferred adjudication.
According to court documents, Ramey overpaid a vendor nearly $200,000 at a trucking company she was working for in hopes of beginning a romantic relationship with him.
The documents state she deposited some of those payments into her personal bank account.
Ramey was sentenced to 10 years of probation.
Ramey is the wife of the league’s president, Bryan Sills.
KPRC 2 went to the couple’s home Wednesday to request comment, but no one answered the door.
Current board member says she never saw financial records
Juanita Karr, a current board member, told KPRC 2 she never had access to financial documents, even after joining the board.
“I never had any access to any documents or anything else,” Karr said.
Karr also said she was recently suspended after posting a video criticizing an umpire, who had relations to the president.
She said her husband, a coach, was also suspended
She believes speaking out may have consequences.
“I feel like speaking up or saying something, your opinion or what you think, it’s going to cost you," said Karr.
She added that she believes the league should be more open to feedback from parents and volunteers.
“They should value more the people that want to work… and make this place more accessible for families,” Karr said.
Parents say concerns are affecting their kids
Parents told KPRC 2 the situation is starting to impact their children’s experience — from coaching disruptions to ongoing uncertainty.
Some say they are now stepping in to fill roles typically handled by coaches and team staff.
“I’m going to now be inconvenienced. I have to get off from work, bring two children down here and essentially assist with coaching now,” said parent Michayla Martin, whose child was being coached by Karr’s husband.
League responds
Katy American Little League sent KPRC 2 the following statement late Tuesday night:
“Thank you for reaching out. Katy American Little League has not yet been served with the lawsuit and therefore cannot comment on it. Katy American Little League strictly follows its constitution and denies any allegation that it has acted in violation of its constitution or the law. Any statements from Katy American Little League will be made in the course of this lawsuit.”