Ex-Freehold Soccer League Treasurer Admits $457K Theft: Official

FREEHOLD, NJ — The former treasurer of the Freehold Soccer League pleaded guilty Monday 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 Monday to second-degree theft before Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano Jr., said Chris Swendeman, a public information officer with the prosecutor's office.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Gallo faces a maximum of 6 years in state prison and must pay $280,000 in restitution; he is scheduled to be sentenced by Falcetano on Jan. 19, Swendeman said.

Gallo was charged earlier this year following an investigation that began in March 2016, after the Office’s Financial Crimes Unit received a referral from the president of the Freehold 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, the prosecutor's office said.

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Gallo admitted he stole about $457,000 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, including $12,000 for his Verizon Wireless bills, thousands of dollars at Honda of Freehold, other household bills, at restaurants and shopping, the prosecutor's office said in March when he was arrested.

Before being charged, Gallo paid back more than $119,000 into league accounts in an effort to prevent his crime from being detected, the prosecutor's office said.

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