Treasurer Stole $457K From Freehold Soccer League: Prosecutor

FREEHOLD, NJ — A Freehold Township man has been indicted on charges he stole $457,000 from the Freehold Soccer League over a four-year period, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced Tuesday.

Anthony Gallo, 58, of Freehold Township, is charged with one count of second-degree theft of movable property, one count of second-degree misapplication of entrusted property, second-degree misconduct by a corporate official, third-degree bad checks, two counts of fourth-degree falsifying records, four counts of third-degree forgery and four counts of fourth-degree deceptive business practices, said Charles Webster, spokesman for the prosecutor's office.

Gallo was charged earlier this year following a nearly yearlong investigation that began in March 2016 after the office’s Financial Crimes Unit received a referral from the president of the league when he learned that bills for uniforms were not paid and discovered funds were missing from the league bank accounts, Webster said.

The investigation determined Gallo stole about $457,000 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 more than $300,000, Webster said. He also made numerous ATM withdrawals amounting to more than $120,000 from the league’s account and used league funds to pay personal expenses totaling more than $25,000, including $12,000 for his Verizon Wireless bills and thousands of dollars at Honda of Freehold, Webster said.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Lawrence Nelsen. Gallo is represented by Tara Breslow of Red Bank.

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