The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Police say soccer coach allegedly stole $10K
Joshua Brown accused of stealing from West Mont United Soccer Association
LIMERICK >> A former coach for the West Mont United Soccer Association has been charged after an investigation into the association’s financial accounts.
Joshua Brown, 31, of Philadelphia, is facing multiple counts of forgery and theft after authorities allege he altered checks given to him by parents for the organization.
The following statement was released by the soccer association:
“The West-Mont United Soccer Association’s Board of Directors considers its stewardship of club finances as one of our highest priorities. While undergoing routine account reconciliation in May (2019), our Business Manager and Staff found several financial discrepancies involving payments to some of our programs. The Limerick Township Police Department was notified immediately, and a formal
criminal investigation was initiated. Through a collaborative effort with our members, staff, Board of Directors and local authorities, the full scope of the misconduct was uncovered.”
The association was made aware of the discrepancies when several families’ account balances with the organization showed non-payment, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by police.
After contacting the families, the organization became aware that the families had issued personal checks to Brown for West Mont United Soccer Association for their accounts, the affidavit states. In several other instances, it was found that some of the checks given to Brown for West Mont United Soccer Association had been altered to be made out to Brown instead, authorities said.
Approximately 22 checks were misdirected to Brown and 10 of those checks had been altered, police said in an affidavit.
In total, authorities say $10,345 worth of checks were deposited between February and June 2019.
“This misconduct happened outside of the Club’s normal financial procedures for our programs,” the association wrote in a press release. “There will be no financial impact to our membership. We have since reiterated our financial procedures with members and implemented additional safeguards. Additionally, this impropriety slipped through typical banking standards at local financial institutions.”
The release continued: “The Board of Directors would like to thank the West-Mont United Soccer Association staff for their due diligence, which allowed for this to be uncovered so quickly, our membership for their ongoing cooperation, and Detective Marchese with Limerick Township Police Department for his dedication with this case.”
Brown has been charged with forgery, theft and misapplication of entrusted property.
He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge Richard Welsh on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Bail was set at $100,000 unsecured.