Ex-Jackson Little League President Gets Probation In $126K Theft

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The former president who admitted helping to steal $126,000 from the Holbrook Little League was sentenced to two years' probation and 100 hours of community service on Friday, the Ocean County prosecutor's office announced.

Anthony Del Vecchio, 64, of Jackson, also must make restitution of $63,085.41 to the Holbrook Little League as part of a plea agreement that had the consent and approval of the Holbrook Little League's executive board, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Del Vecchio and his co-defendant, John Lehman, pled guilty to the charge before Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski on Dec. 2.

Del Vecchio made full restitution at the time of his sentencing, which was part of the plea agreement.

Lehman’s sentencing is scheduled for March 20.

The thefts were uncovered in the wake of the Little League World Series run by the Holbrook team in 2017, where the Holbrook 12-year-old All-Stars reached the semifinals of the United States championship pool in Williamsport. Afterward, parents who had been promised distributions from fundraising done to support the team began asking questions, eventually taking their questions to authorities.

An anonymous letter detailing the theft of funds prompted an investigation begun in December 2017 by the Economic Crimes Unit of the prosecutor's office.

The subsequent investigation found the two men had taken more than $126,000 for their benefit. Del Vecchio and Lehmann were the only signatories on the leauge's account and both signatures were required on all checks.

"This day of reckoning has been a long time coming, and today Del Vecchio has finally answered for his betrayal of the trust of the children and families who make up the Holbrook Little League," Billhimer said.

Billhimer praised Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Heisler and "the diligent efforts of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Economic Crime Squad and High Tech Crime Unit for bringing the two defendants to justice."'

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