A Delaware County man is accused of stealing from a Grove youth football program to pay bills.

 Former board president, 36-year-old Charles Leon Smith of Grove is charged with felony embezzlement after allegedly stealing almost 49-thousand dollars from the North Delaware County Athletic Association.

 Smith was the only person who had access to the association's bank account from May 2019 until February 2023. He is accused of using money from the account to purchase items from area shopping centers, grocery, and convenience stores. He also allegedly paid for rent, and purchases at Public Service Company, Hulu, Straight Talk, Verizon, and Lakeridge Apartment.

 Smith's first appearance in court on this charge was Friday. He was also wanted on another warrant to revoke probation in connection to a 2020 drunk driving charge. Smith will return to court today on a 2020 drunk driving case. Officials, in that case, say Smith has not adhered to the guidelines of a plea agreement and requested the probation revocation.