When a reimbursement check from the Greater Watertown Pop Warner League bounced for the league president, Darren Peebles, "that got me a little leery," Mr. Peebles said Wednesday.

A few days later, after he had checked bank records, he said, the league treasurer was admitting to him she had embezzled $5,000 from the organization. But he says an audit and investigations by Watertown and state police will indicate much more cash, possibly more than $20,000, was stolen.

No charges have been filed against the woman, identified as Lisa A. Staie of Lowville. An arrest is expected after audits are finalized, Mr. Peebles said.

Mrs. Staie resigned as treasurer of both the league and the Lowville team, he said, and handed him a $5,000 check to settle the situation. Mr. Peebles, Port Leyden, handed that check to Watertown police.

City Detective Richard J. Purvis confirmed Wednesday that Mrs. Staie, who had been the league's treasurer "at least" 10 years, is "a person of interest" in the investigation. He said a preliminary audit shows more than $10,000 is missing from the league's accounts, but an audit has not been completed.

State police Investigator William J. Campeau said his investigation into possible thefts from the Lowville team is in its early stages. Complainants for the team will be in for an interview next week, he said.

A spokesman for the Pop Warner national organization, Joshua Pruce, Langhorne, Pa., said it is not unusual for a person to serve as treasurer for both the league and one of its member clubs.

The national group cannot provide money to the league to help settle its financial situation, he said, but can otherwise support the league during the police investigation "and help them get things back in working order."

Neither Mr. Peebles nor Detective Purvis could specify how long Mrs. Staie had been treasurer for the league and the Lowville team, both volunteer positions. Mr. Peebles estimated up to 14 years.

Mr. Peebles said that after the check issued to him bounced, he reviewed monthly treasurer's reports, and found contradictions in the numbers. He then went to the bank before confronting Mrs. Staie. He said the check written to him was for an amount between $200 and $300.

She at first argued there must be a bank error, and asked for time to check with the bank. When advised he had already done that, she admitted to stealing $5,000, he said.

Detective Purvis, himself the coach of the Pop Warner team in Dexter, opened his investigation July 9. He said Mrs. Staie has hired an attorney.