by Al DellaFave, OCPO
JACKSON-Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced the arrest of the two Holbrook Little Executive Board Members. League President Anthony M. Del Vecchio, 63, and League Treasurer John M. Lehmann, 55, both of Jackson Township were charged with 2nd degree Theft and Conspiracy to Commit Theft for the misappropriation of league finances.
The two men were arrested today (2/16). Del Vecchio, accompanied by his attorney Richard LoMurro of Freehold, surrendered to OCPO investigators this morning. Lehmann, was arrested at his place of employment just after 2 pm today with the assistance of the Rahway Police Department. Their arrests stem from an investigation begun in December of 2017 by the Ocean County Economic Crimes Unit after receiving an anonymous letter detailing the alleged theft of funds from the Holbrook Little League.
An extensive review of Holbrook Little League finances from 2014 to present was conducted by OCPO, with the full cooperation of the League Executive Board members. The board raised concerns about League funds after observing discrepancies in their accounts. The subsequent investigation revealed that Del Vecchio and Lehmann, the sole signatories on the league bank accounts, had converted over $118,000 of Holbrook Little League funds to their benefit. The Economic Crimes Unit also verified that Lehmann was the sole debit cardholder on the league account and had misused the card in excess of $500.
The lead investigator on the case was OCPO Economic Crime Unit Detective Denis Mitchell. Senior Assistant Prosecutor Jill O’Malley reviewed the investigative findings and approved the above charges.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.