Former Treasurer Found Stealing over $450,000 from League Account
FREEHOLD – The former treasurer of the Freehold Soccer League has been charged with stealing over $450,000 from the volunteer organization between 2012 and 2016, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Anthony Gallo, 57, of Freehold Township, is charged with one count of second degree Theft. If convicted, he faces up to ten years in a New Jersey state prison.
Gallo was charged Wednesday following an investigation that began in March 2016. The investigation began after the Office’s Financial Crimes Unit received a referral from the president of the league. The league president reported the incident after learning from a vendor that bills for uniforms were not paid and later discovered funds were missing from the league bank accounts.
The investigation determined Gallo stole over $450,000 from the league while serving as the volunteer treasurer for the organization. As treasurer, Gallo had access to the league’s operating account and wrote checks to himself, his company Beacon Financial Services, and cash totaling over $300,000. He also made numerous ATM withdrawals amounting to over $120,000 from the league’s account. Gallo used league funds to pay personal expenses totaling over $25,000, including $12,000 for his Verizon Wireless bills, thousands of dollars at Honda of Freehold, other household bills, at restaurants and shopping.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Lawrence Nelsen.
Gallo was released pending a future court date.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
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