Montco Man, VP Of Local Baseball-Softball Nonprofit, Stole $43K: DA

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, PA — A leader of a Montgomery County baseball and softball organization stole more than $43,000 from the group and used it for personal purchases, the district attorney's office announced.

Christopher Pekula, 49, of North Wales, was charged with theft by unlawful taking and numerous related counts.

“Parents work hard to support non-profit sports organizations like this one in order toprovide their children with the many learning opportunities that come from being on a team andplaying sports," DA Kevin Steele said in a statement. "This group also obtained much-needed federal funding to stay afloat during Covid."

Pekula was the vice president of finance of the Montgomery Township Baseball and Softball Association (MTBSA) for five years, from Oct. 2018 to Oct. 2023, and was responsible for managing various bank records and expenditures.

MTBSA received a federal EIDL COVID-19 relief loan of $25,900 in June 2020, and Pekula made 17 cash withdrawals, 15 of which were illegitimate and unrelated to the organization's business, the DA said.

Pekula also reimbursed himself extra money beyond the legitimate expenses accrued during organization events and while making purchases for MBTSA, officials said.

Some of the purchases made with the organization's credit card were for personal Amazon purchases, according to officials.

The total amount stolen was $43,700.80, the DA said.

Pekula was arraigned Feb. 3 and his bail was set at $25,000. A preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 11.