Autism Charity President 'Preyed Upon' Suffolk Businesses In Defrauding Scheme: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — The president of charitable organization Play4Autism admitted to stealing from Suffolk County businesses, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said Monday.

Gregory Vasicek, 60, of Queens, president of the Queens-based charity, pleaded guilty to first-degree scheme to defraud. He admitted he promised to pay thousands of dollars to various vendors for goods and services for which he never paid, the DA said.

"This defendant preyed upon the goodwill of Suffolk County residents and business owners under
the guise of helping autistic children to benefit himself," Tierney said in a news release. "My
Office will continue to hold accountable all those who manipulate, steal, and violate the public’s
trust."

Vasicek wrote numerous checks from his charity's bank account between April 21, 2022, and May 2, 2022, knowing the funds in the organization’s account could not pay for the services and property being purchased, investigators said.

A golf course and restaurant in Manorville and an amusement park in the East Farmingdale and Melville area were defrauded by Vasicek, prosecutors said. The vendors tried to get payment from Vasicek multiple times, but he never paid for the goods and services provided to him, officials said.

Vasicek also asked for and received hundreds of dollars in registration fees from donors for a golf outing he said would happen at the Manorville golf course on Oct. 19, 2022, authorities said. No golf outing was ever scheduled to take place at the course, the DA said.

Vasicek pleaded guilty on Friday to the felony. His sentencing is scheduled for July 6. The Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County is representing him.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office asked that anyone who thinks they may have
been defrauded by Vasicek or his charity to report it to its office at 631-853-4626.

Play4Autism's goal, according to its website, is to increase public awareness and acceptance of autism while improving the quality of life and hope for children. The organization aimed to introduce children on the autism spectrum and their families to its Kidz into Action Program. The program would use physical activity to increase communication and leadership skills for those with autism, as well as teach them how to remain physically active throughout their lives.