Steve Rodriguez Prado, the longtime president of the Central Little League of Las Vegas, was taken into custody on July 2 after investigators uncovered a scheme that siphoned more than $64,000 from the youth baseball organization.
According to court filings, the missing money was allegedly funneled toward adult entertainment venues, purchases of erectile dysfunction medication, and even casino bar tabs, painting a picture of personal indulgence rather than community service.
Financial Trail Uncovered
Detectives traced a series of Zelle transfers labeled with Prado’s name and that of his partner, Cristal Prado, which together accounted for $55,724.03. Additional expenses included $1,351 spent at a gentlemen’s club called Las Toxicas, $1,454 on ride‑share and electric‑vehicle charging, $1,976 on casino‑resort bars and valet, and $294 on the prescription drug Blue Chew.
The irregularities began to surface in January, when the league’s account balance slipped below $1,000 and eventually turned negative by April. A parent’s complaint that Prado refused to answer questions about bank statements prompted the board to appoint a safety officer, who later uncovered dozens of suspicious transactions.
Investigators obtained a grand jury subpoena for the league’s bank records and discovered that large deposits and withdrawals started as early as December. The pattern of inflows and outflows suggested an attempt to conceal the misappropriation, with altered statements submitted by Prado to mask the theft.
Prado’s criminal history adds weight to the case. He previously served a felony robbery sentence in Riverside County in 2021 and, according to court records, failed to register as a convicted person living in Clark County. He now faces charges of theft, forgery and failure to comply with post‑conviction requirements.
The league’s administrator noted that Prado described the allegations as “blown out of proportion,” a claim that has done little to quell the growing scrutiny. He is scheduled to appear in court again on July 30, where further details of the embezzlement may be revealed.