An area little league president has been charged with pilfering more than $73,000 from the organization over the course of roughly three years, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Friday.

Donald Petito, 42, of Freehold, president of the Freehold Township Little League, has been charged with third-degree theft by unlawful taking or disposition in connection with the theft.

The case background …

An investigation by the MCPO Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Unit, prompted by a Monmouth County Crime Stoppers tip, revealed that starting in March 2022, Petito began submitting fraudulent reimbursement requests to the League for purchases not made at all or with inflated values.

The investigation revealed that Petito also stole funds from the League’s Venmo funds by first transferring them to his personal Venmo account, then transferring them to a business account under his direct control.

Petito was served the charges against him via summons on Thursday, pending future proceedings to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court.

Anyone with further information about the activities of Petito is being asked to contact MCPO Detective Debra Bassinder at 800-533-7443.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

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