Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge Timothy O'Reilly has ordered Moon Crescent Athletic Association members to elect 13 new officers and directors after three ousted officers filed civil action against seven other association leaders.

All 250 association members will be eligible to vote during a special meeting on May 13 at 7 p.m. in the Coraopolis Elks Club.

Judge O'Reilly's April 17 decision came after three days and nearly 10 hours of testimony, stretching back to April 8.

Treasurer Sam Yaramus, vice president Gene Casasanta and program commissioner Deb Szczypinski filed the civil action against fellow association officers Mark Piccolo, Michelle Unis, Albert Unis, Diana Sektnan, John McCurry, Pamela Smallis and David Carnahan.

The three plaintiffs were reinstated by O'Reilly after being removed as officers during a Feb. 12 meeting of the association, which conducts youth football, cheerleading and dance programs for children in the two communities. They received no warning and little explanation for their removal, said Yaramus.

"The concern of mine was that it was going to affect my reputation dealing with youth in Moon, and it was going to stop me from doing what I love, which is coaching kids football," Yaramus said.

Fellow officers logged unsubstantiated criminal claims against Casasanta and accused Yaramus of being a threat to the safety and well-being to association children, according to court documents.

But those claims were refuted by a middle school football player who drafted a petition with signatures of 70 association players, and by parents like Tammie Blake, whose son played on Yaramus' peewee football team for two years.

"He thought Sam was the best coach he ever had. Sam was the first coach who ever planned additional games on his own, so that all kids would get playing time. I have never met another volunteer who put in this many volunteer hours and was kicked out of their position."

Yaramus said his removal from the association occurred because he began questioning the association's spending. Around $5,000 of the association's $80,000 budget -- drawn from member fundraisers and fees -- cannot be accounted for, Yaramus said.

"I have repeatedly asked for documentation and support, and I have been given nothing," from Piccolo.

"I have never accused anyone of anything. All I asked for as treasurer and watchdog of this organization were answers to financial questions."

Piccolo could not be reached for comment.

New leadership could avoid such issues in the upcoming election. According to the judge's court order, all association members are eligible to vote despite organization by-laws stating members must attend seven meetings in a rolling 12-month period to be eligible voters.

Some officers are taking issue with that decree saying the election will not be valid, if all dues-paying 250 members vote and run for office as only 27 members have fulfilled the attendance obligations, according to Yaramus' attorney J. Michael Baggett.

But attending the required meetings would have proved difficult. There was no December meeting, January's meeting was changed at the last moment, February's was a closed executive session and those who attended the April 8 meeting found it had been canceled earlier that day leaving attendees to mill outside Coraopolis VFW unable to enter the building.

The voting issue was expected to be resolved yesterday (Wednesday) by Judge O'Reilly, said Yaramus.

"The membership is aware of everything that is going on. (We hope) everyone will have the opportunity to run for office and everyone will have the opportunity to voice their vote. We will be a better and stronger organization going forward."