Ex-Treasurer Took $1K From Youth Football Club, Lawrence Police Say

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — A former youth football and cheer treasurer has been accused of misusing organization funds, Lawrence Township Police said.

In December 2025, the Lawrence Township Police Department received a report that the treasurer of the Lawrence Junior Cardinals (a local non-profit youth football and cheer organization that receives funds through fundraising, donations, concessions and registration fees) had allegedly been using organization funds for personal purchases.

The activity was discovered after an internal audit conducted by the organization revealed multiple unauthorized transactions that were not for the benefit of the organization.

Representatives of the Lawrence Junior Cardinals cooperated fully with the investigation after identifying the discrepancies during their internal review.

Lawrence Township Police Dt. Charles Burkoski conducted the follow-up investigation, which revealed that the accused allegedly used the Lawrence Junior Cardinals debit card to make various personal purchases, totaling $1,703.32 in the organization's funds.

The accused was identified as Veronica Bruno, 35, of Lawrence Township, police said.

On Thursday, March 12, she was arrested and charged with misappropriation of entrusted property, a third-degree crime.

Bruno was released on a complaint summons pending a future court date.

Patch has reached out to the Lawrence Junior Cardinals for comment. This story will be updated if a response is received.

Anyone with additional information related to this incident is asked to contact Dt. Charles Burkoski at 609-844-7135 or via email at cburkoski@lawrencetwp.com.