The Penticton Minor Hockey Association says it has been bilked out of more than $300,000 by its former treasurer, who is now deceased.

A forensic investigation found that the treasurer for the group from 2001 until July 2013   “misappropriated” $315,650 of the association’s funds in a “sophisticated embezzlement scheme.”

“It appears that she used altered cheques and falsified receipts and financial records along with cash transactions involving referee payments and concession revenues to carry out the scheme,” said the association’s lawyer Erik Lund.

The funds are believed to have been siphoned away between May 1, 2010 to April 30, 2013.

The investigation began when association president noticed some signs of fraudulent activity after Elder passed away.

The board hired Lund, as well as a forensic accountant, and reported the investigation to RCMP in the summer of 2013.