West Fargo Hockey Association employee charged with $68,000 theft

West Fargo man Steven Lyon faces felony theft charges for stealing approximately $68,000 from the West Fargo Hockey Association in late 2024. The longtime employee and bingo manager was charged March 3 with theft by deception over $50,000 in Cass County District Court. Executive Director Jeremy Jorgenson reported that the nonprofit’s auditor discovered discrepancies in electronic gambling machine funds. When confronted, Lyon admitted to the theft and promptly repaid the money. The incident was reported to the North Dakota Gaming Commission, and Lyon will likely be banned from state charitable gaming work. The hockey association, which serves hundreds of members across the West Fargo School District, operates 11 gaming sites to raise funds for youth hockey and a planned third ice sheet at Veterans Memorial Arena. Lyon faces a Class A felony charge, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Court documents will remain confidential until his arrest.