In a press release late yesterday, the Amador County District Attorney’s Office announced that Kevin Daniel Barnett pled guilty to embezzlement and grand theft for criminal acts which occurred while Barnett served as the president of theSan Joaquin. In April 2007, MLYAC board members suspected something was wrong with the organization’s finances after receiving a cancellation notice for their liability insurance, which covers the teams’ practices and games. They also received several calls from vendors inquiring about unpaid invoices. During a preliminary hearing, Dan McHoul, the current MLYAC president, testified he made contact with Barnett who said, “Dan, I need to talk to you. I took the money, the league money.” Doug Grey from the Jackson Police Department also testified about his investigation, which revealed 11 checks made out to cash by Barnett for a total of over 8,200 dollars. In addition to the checks were 24 ATM withdrawals and 9 debit card transactions. Grey testified that he spoke with Barnett in November 2007, and Barnett admitted the checks and ATM withdrawals were for Barnett’s personal use. Some transactions included payments to an automotive tire company and for Comcast cable service. Grey testified that Barnett told him he had “spent the money on other debt obligations.” The judgment and sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 22, 2008 in Amador County Superior Court. Mother Lode Youth Athletic Conference, or MLYAC. Barnett was a MLYAC board member for sixteen years and president for the past six years. The conference consists of eight football teams with players and cheerleaders ranging in age from 8 to 14 from the counties of Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and a portion of

 

As another dangerous fire season approaches, the nation’s largest wild firefighting organization is beginning to prepare. The US Forest Service is seeking persons 18 or older to be a part of the Eldorado National Forest and Kirkwood region’s wild land fire fighting organization. “These are great summer jobs,” said Eldorado National Forest Fire Chief Bob Patton. “We’re not just offering a 40 hour work week, but we’re also offering adventure, excitement, and the possibility of building time toward a career.” Applicants must be U.S. citizens and be able to pass a fitness test called a “pack test”.