A senior bowling official is being investigated by Police after more than $80,000 went missing from the sport?s coffers.

The Commercial Crime Unit was alerted after three separate bowling associations discovered a cheque-kiting scheme had emptied their bank accounts and left leagues unable to pay out prize money.

The Commercial League, which bowls in the winter on Monday nights, has been left with a $22,899 overdraft with the $6,000 that was in the bank account in pre-paid lane fees ? $2,000 each from Masters and BTC teams ? also missing.

Money has also been taken from the Bermuda Junior Bowling League and the Bermuda Bowling Association.

It is understood the official, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been involved in this for more than two years and had been in negotiations with the various bowling leagues over repayment of the missing cash but when an agreement couldn?t be reached, Police were called in.

It is also understood that the Bermuda Women?s Bowling Association held a hearing in February to which the official was invited in order to hear the allegations that were being made. The official attended and admitted to the charges of misappropriation of the funds ? the official also told the hearing that the league records had been destroyed.

Police have confirmed an investigation is ongoing but refused to comment any further while bowling officials also said they were unwilling to make any comment while the matter was being looked into by the authorities.

The thefts have ruined the season for many bowlers with the Commercial League now unable to provide the $4,055 it paid out last year in prize money nor the traditional year-end banquet, which last year was held at the Carriage House, in St. George?s, at a cost of more than $2,500.

At the end of the season next month, there is expected to be just over $1,000 in the new bank account that has been set-up. Only $140 will be available for bowlers once the secretary and treasurer have been paid their fees.

One bowler from a leading team in the Commercial League, who asked not to be named, told ?It is disappointing that we are bowling all year for nothing.?