Softball Coach Charged In $14K Theft From Monmouth Travel Team

FREEHOLD, NJ — A Neptune man has been charged with theft in connection with the misuse of $14,000 of funds for the competitive youth softball team he coached, the Monmouth County prosecutor's office said Wednesday.

Michael Lane, 54, of Neptune, was charged Monday with third-degree theft by unlawful taking and third-degree misapplication of entrusted property by detectives from the Tinton Falls Police Department with assistance from the prosecutor’s office, Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said.

Lane had been the coach of the Monmouth Surf travel softball team since 2013, and had received money from the players to cover traveling expenses and tournament costs. In July 2019, Lane told the parents on the team he had used the money for himself and that it wasn't available to pay expenses, and that the team would have to be shut down. He promised to repay the money, Gramiccioni said.

When Lane failed to repay the money, the parents went to law enforcement. Investigators learned he had deposited about $14,000 into his personal account, he said.

Lane faces up to five years in prison on each count, the prosecutor's office said.

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