‘Adult Party Playground’ At NJ Kids’ Football League, Lawsuit Alleges

VOORHEES, NJ - A New Jersey father has filed a lawsuit against the board members of a local children’s football program, alleging that members used program resources and township property to facilitate an “adult party playground” where parents would openly drink alcohol and infused marijuana drinks around children.

Charles Foulke III, a parent who says his children have been involved in associated EVJ football and cheerleading programs over the last 18 years, claims that board members of the Eastern JR Vikings Football program failed to file tax returns, inappropriately spent $100,000 of the nonprofit’s funding and “wrongfully hijacked control” of the program.

The initial lawsuit was filed in Camden County Superior Court in November 2021 naming the football program itself, although the program has since been dropped in the state lawsuit. According to NJ.com, the program is now named as a plaintiff in a federal case against Voorhees Township over football field use.

Foulke’s lawsuit names President and Board of EVJ Directors member Troy Brocco, board of directors member Janice Minerva, Vice President and EVJ Board of Directors member Ron Librizzi and treasurer/secretary EVJ Board of Directors member Danielle Fifthian. Foulke is seeking judgment against EVJ and the named board members, as well as compensatory damages, interest, and related lawsuit fees.

Foulke additionally claims that, over the past six years, he has lent money to EVJ for equipment and related supplies but has been refused the money back. All allegations were denied a motion to dismiss filed by the aforementioned board members, noting that Foulke’s loans to the organization were, in fact, donations.

While a neutral “custodial receiver” was appointed by a New Jersey Superior Court judge earlier this year to maintain the EVJ football program, board members have hindered the program’s continuance by starting a campaign to destroy the program and misuse its assets in the days leading up to the custodial receiver’s appointment, according to an amended complaint.

A federal lawsuit filed on April 20 by Eastern JR Vikings Football against Voorhees Township claims that funds from the program were again misappropriated after the receiver was appointed, and that the township has yet to approve a permit for the program to utilize the field at Stephen J. Giangiulio Memorial Field, per NJ.com.

A request for comment was not immediately returned from Foulke’s attorney or the attorney representing the EVJ board members.