By Madhuri Dey
Oct 8, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Edward Albert, who had served as president of a soccer club located in Luzerne County had been charged for theft from club fund. From Hanover Area Youth Soccer Organization’s fund he had stolen thousands of dollars and was arrested on this charge. It was also stated by the sources that on Monday he had been sentenced to serve two years in probation.

The 47 years old man, Edward J. Albert had two counts against him. Mr. Albert pleaded no contest in front of Joseph Augello, the county judge. On Monday. he had to pay restitution cost of over 25,000 dollars.

According to the police statements,Albert had stolen a sum of 32,266 dollars from the fund of soccer team. It was stated that he had also stolen a sum of 10,715 dollars from Hanover Area Youth Basketball League between the time period of March 2006 and April 2008.

In 2008, an official of the soccer club noticed some financial irregularities in the bank balance of the organization and found the balance to be quite lower than their expectation. Then they reported this to Township Police in May 2008. After this, a detective of the Luzerne County and Sergeant Al Walker contacted with Department of State’s Bureau of Charitable Organizations Unit. Forensic audit of this baseball and soccer organization’s accounts were conducted by them. In the audit it was found that Edward Albert had noted 68 checks of soccer organization as cash. From basketball league, he had noted 17 checks as cash.

Personal bank accounts of Edward Albert was reviewed after this. It revealed that checks or some parts of those checks had been deposited into the bank account of Albert. In November 2008, Albert when interviewed by the authorities admitted of stealing the fund. He said that he had stolen the money for paying his personal bills and mortgages.