Ex-director of children’s charity charged with stealing $750,000

The former executive director of The Children’s Heart Foundation has been charged in federal court in a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the children’s charity.

William Foley, who records show led the organization from June 2004 through December 2017, was charged in a document called an information, suggesting he is likely to plead guilty. The suburban charity’s mission is to fund research into congenital heart defects.

The charging document alleges Foley stole roughly $750,000 for his personal use. For example, it alleges Foley wired $508,090 from the charity’s bank account to pay his credit card account, which had been used for clothing, hotel rooms, groceries, gas and meals unrelated to his work.

Foley also allegedly spent $220,112 on the charity’s credit card for clothing, airfare, hotel rooms, sporting event tickets, groceries, gas and meals. Finally, Foley allegedly spent $20,604 in cash from the charity for his personal benefit.

Foley also allegedly lied on documents to make it look like the spending was legitimate.

Though the Children’s Heart Foundation is not named in the document, CEO Barbara Newhouse released the following statement:

“The Children’s Heart Foundation parted ways with Mr. Foley nearly two years ago when we discovered his betrayal of our organization and the children we serve,” she said. “Today we are focused on our mission of funding the most promising research to advance the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congenital heart defects and are celebrating the many significant accomplishments we have made this year toward that objective.”