Former Hermitage YMCA CEO back in court for embezzlement, attorneys discussing restitution

The former CEO of the Hermitage YMCA was back in court Tuesday for alleged embezzlement. 

Robert States is accused of stealing money from the YMCA through credit cards, checks, and loans. 

States and his attorney asked the judge for a continuance in the case so that both sides could discuss restitution. That means, if the prosecution and defense agree, States could be ordered to pay back a certain amount of money to avoid trial. 

If an agreement isn't made and a trial is set, possible witnesses called could be bank personnel and YMCA employees. 

Police conducted a search warrant in July of 2022, where officers found and seized the first of the two cards, a laptop used for YMCA business matters, and the States' cell phone, according to the complaint.

Police say the second credit card was later found to have been destroyed by YMCA personnel.

According to police, credit cards purchased commodities like food, diapers, eyewear, and other household items from Walmart. Police say the cards were also used to purchase various gift cards, meals at local restaurants, auto repairs, DoorDash meals, and much more.

Additionally, police say the State would charge large amounts of cash on the two cards and deposit it directly into the YMCA bank account when funds were depleted and payroll had to be met.

According to the criminal complaint, further investigation revealed that the State wrote fraudulent checks to the Hermitage Little League Association using YMCA funds in an attempt to reimburse revenue that he had stolen.

Twenty-seven of these checks were written over a two-year period. Police say the total amount of money stolen from the YMCA and Little League accumulated nearly $500,000.

States will be back in court on April 29.