JACKSON – Two Jackson men who are former officials with the Holbrook Little League have been indicted on charges of theft from the local youth baseball organization.
Last week, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced the indictment of Anthony Del Vecchio, 64, and John Lehman, 56, for unlawfully taking money in excess of $75,000. Both men had initially been charged in early 2018.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office received an anonymous letter in November 2017 detailing the alleged theft of funds from the league, according to information that was provided by the prosecutor’s office at the time Del Vecchio and Lehman were charged.
An investigation was conducted by the prosecutor’s office Economic Crimes Unit. A review of the Holbrook Little League’s finances dating back to 2014 was conducted by the prosecutor’s office with the cooperation of the league’s executive board members.
According to the prosecutor’s office, board members raised concerns about league funds after observing discrepancies in the league’s accounts.
The investigation revealed Del Vecchio, who was the league president, and Lehmann, who was the league treasurer, the sole signatories on the league’s bank accounts, had allegedly converted more than $118,000 of league funds to their benefit.
The Economic Crimes Unit verified Lehmann was the sole debit card holder on the league account and had allegedly misused the card in excess of $500, according to the prosecutor’s office.