The former treasurer of the Freehold Soccer League pleaded guilty on Nov. 13 to stealing more than $400,000 from the volunteer organization between 2012 and 2016, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.
Anthony Gallo, 57, of Freehold Township, pleaded guilty to second degree theft before state Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano Jr., sitting in Freehold.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Gallo faces a maximum term of six years in state prison and must pay $280,000 in restitution when he returns for sentencing before Falcetano on Jan. 19, according to the prosecutor.
Gallo was charged earlier this year following an investigation that began in March 2016 after the prosecutor’s office’s Financial Crimes Unit received a referral from the president of the soccer league. The president made the referral after he learned that bills for uniforms were not paid and discovered funds were missing from the league bank accounts.
Gallo admitted he stole more than $400,000 from the league between 2012 and 2016 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 more than $300,000. He also made numerous unauthorized ATM withdrawals from the league’s account and used league funds to pay personal expenses, according to the prosecutor.
Before being charged, Gallo paid back more than $119,000 into league accounts in an effort to prevent his crime from being detected, according to the prosecutor.