Joplin man accused of stealing tens of thousands of Miracle League funds

A man from Joplin is accused of stealing nearly $70,000 from The Miracle League of Joplin turned himself in Thursday.

48-year-old Aaron Allen Smith was then released from the Ottawa County Jail after posting $10,000 bail.

The investigation began when authorities were contacted by a member of the Miracle League Board, who found unauthorized transactions to the debt card assigned to Smith, who was the treasurer of the non-profit.

Prosecutors say between August and December, he allegedly used the card dozens of times at local casinos to gamble.

Court documents say nearly $60k was spent at Downstream Casino.

In mid-December, Smith then made a $50k deposit into the Miracle League account from his personal banking account. The next day, it was returned and the funds were removed from the Miracle League account.

Smith now faces embezzlement charges as the investigation continues.

He has been fired from his job at Mid-Missouri Bank.

Click here to see the entire Aaron Smith Probable Cause Statement