Prince Frederick, MD – The Prince Frederick Eagles are working to move past the “brink of dissolving,” after the mishandling of funds by their former President and Football Coordinator.

On Monday, June 24, the organization’s former football coordinator, Corey Sollers, was issued a warrant charging him with stealing $17,370.48 from the organization between August 1, 2018, and December 31, of the same year.

The Grand Jury filed their criminal indictment on June 20 with charges of “theft scheme” between $1,500-$25,000, and “embezzlement-misappropriating of funds.” The indictment alleges that Sollers “fraudulently and willfully” appropriated money while serving as a fiduciary for the Eagles’ organization.

The indictment comes after dismay from parents over the handling of the organization’s funds. One such parent, Lindsay Kauten, has been vocal in her disapproval of the organization under Sollers and former President Antoine White.

Kauten was a member of the Eagles’ Board of Directors until being removed by White in November of last year. The then acting President for the Eagles, told TheBayNet last year that Kauten was removed for “accusing BOD members of stealing PFE funds” causing “unnecessary drama,” making “false accusations regarding funds to members of this and other organizations,” in addition to several other conduct violations.

“I have observed the Prince Frederick Eagles fall apart over the past three years,” expressed Kauten who went on to explain all the “unnecessary drama” came to a head during a November BOD meeting where “checks were not in order” and “funds could still not be accounted for.” Both White and Sollers assured the concerned parents that all was in order at the time, but Kauten stated the investigation revealed that that was “obviously” not the case.

The drama continued after that meeting, eventually leading to both White and Sollers being voted out of their positions in an election that Kauten claims the pair tried to “rig.”

Under new leadership headed by President Mike Ebey, the board seems to have righted the ship, tripling their fall registration numbers over last year. Ebey explained that he is “touched” by the “enormous amount of support from the people in the community.”

He stated that the organization has found itself in a “very unfortunate situation” that he’s been dealing with “the past several months.” His goal right now is to “move the program forward” in a “positive direction.”

Elected March 12, Ebey inherited an empty bank account and a vacant lacrosse coordinator position, causing the organization to forgo a program this past spring.

Now at the helm, Ebey’s first steps were to rebuild relationships with parents and the Calvert County Department of Parks and Recreation, in addition to adding another position on the board with oversight of the accounts. The Eagles have focused their outreach on their social media, promoting fundraisers and leaning into the community’s support.

An additional goal of Ebey’s is “having more of a partnership with Calvert High School.” He explained that “80-90 percent” of his players go on to attend the school and that he has been looking to 8-year head coach Rick Sneade for help in forming a “true partnership.”

Ebey’s motto through rebuilding the program is that “It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you respond to what happens and the response from this community, the coaches, and the parents has been awesome.”

Ebey stated that the Eagles are working with an attorney to compile an official statement on the previous board members’ actions and ongoing legal proceedings.

The 43-year-old club is currently on pace for their biggest year. They host free speed and strength training at Hallowing Point Park Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. over the summer and have their yearly youth contact camp hosted by Calvert High School’s football program July 24-27. This Thursday from 5-9 p.m. Calvert County residents can support the Eagles at Fortune Cookie and 2 Scoops for spirit night.

For more information on how to support the Eagles or register your kids, visit the Prince Frederick Eagles website. 

The BayNet will follow this story and report as information develops.

Contact Jerold at staffwriter@thebaynet.com.