On November 3, 2017, the league refused to follow its own bylaws by voting against an audit of the league's finances. During White's tenure as president of the league, there has been no financial transparency. When discussing the matter that night, a board member stated that if audit were to occur, "Our critics would find something wrong with it."
Most villagers are unaware that between 2005 and 2015, the league's annual budget grew over 100% ($97 K per year to $197 K! ), making it one of the most expensive little leagues in the nation. None of it has ever been subject to independent financial oversight. Strict financial oversight is required by the IRS code governing 501(c)(3) charities like RFYBS. An offer by parents to conduct an independent audit of the league's finances using non-league money was turned down. It was feared that receipts would not match expenses. One regular member of the league allegedly stated, "I don't care if White is stealing money,...he's done a lot of good for the league."
In contrast to the above, Little League International encourages strong, annual financial audits. In fact, non-profit charities are required to have them in order to maintain their tax exempt status. While it may be true that RFYBS submits an annual report to the State of Illinois (Form AG990-IL), it has never provided independent financial transparency to its membership. It has never followed its own bylaws about annual financial review. Current board members are reluctant to endorse the league's past financial statements. They want to sweep any past financial improprieties under the rug.
Maybe it is only a coincidence that the softball sportsmanship award is named after a former RFYBS treasurer who failed to hold White accountable for the league's finances. While it's clear that all board members including the treasurer were unaware of bylaws until October 2016, it's also clear that they had a duty to obtain a copy of them and adhere to the rules. When the bylaws were suddenly "discovered," White flouted them and the league operated with little oversight. For instance, in 2017 White spent $1,000 of league money to lie to The Illinois Attorney General and didn't tell the board about it until afterwards. Later when a new treasurer stated that he expected the league to account for every penny spent, he was pressured to resign.
But what about future financial accountability? In response to its critics, RFYBS amended league bylaws requiring mandatory, annual financial oversight and replacing them with new terms making financial oversight discretionary. Currently, RFYBS audits its own finances when it feels like it. What is RFYBS hiding?
Again, White punished the parent who questioned the league finances by not allowing him to coach later that year. That parent's team had just won the boys 10U league league championship. Later, White also made sure that critic's son was not included on the 12U Sunday ball team and then tried to have him removed from the 12U Cooperstown team. Maybe the female board members were afraid of this happening to their own children?
RFYBS should perform independent annual financial oversight, just like The IRS and Little League rules mandate. The annual certification of good standing should be available for parents to view and download from the league website. Receipts should match expenses. Stop eating and drinking at the parents' expense. Why is league insuring Forest Park fields it does not use?
If the league is not operating like a 503(c) non-profit, then it risks having its charity status taken away by the IRS or Illinois Attorney General. As a result, it would be kicked out of Little League International and contributions made to the league would no longer be tax deductible.