by Charles Webster, MCPO
FREEHOLD – A Monmouth County grand jury returned a 14-count indictment charging the former treasurer of the Freehold Soccer League with stealing about $457,000 from the volunteer organization between 2012 and 2016, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Anthony Gallo, 58, of Freehold Township, is charged with one count of second degree Theft of Movable Property, one count of second degree Misapplication of Entrusted Property, second degree Misconduct by a Corporate Official, third degree Bad Checks, 2 counts of fourth degree Falsifying Records, 4 counts of third degree Forgery, and 4 counts of fourth degree Deceptive Business Practices.
If convicted of the second degree charges, he faces up to ten years in a New Jersey state prison. If convicted of the third degree charges, he faces up to five years in state prison, and up to 18 months for each of the fourth degree offenses.
Gallo was charged earlier this year following a nearly year-long investigation that began in March 2016, after the Office’s Financial Crimes Unit received a referral from the president of the league when he learned that bills for uniforms were not paid and discovered funds were missing from the league bank accounts.
The investigation determined Gallo stole about $457,000 from the league while serving as the volunteer treasurer for the organization. As treasurer, Gallo had access to the league’s operating account and wrote checks to himself, his company Beacon Financial Services, and cash totaling over $300,000. He also made numerous ATM withdrawals amounting to over $120,000 from the league’s account and used league funds to pay personal expenses totaling over $25,000 including $12,000 for his Verizon Wireless bills and thousands of dollars at Honda of Freehold.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Lawrence Nelsen.
Gallo is represented by Tara Breslow, of Red Bank.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
