D.A.: Youth soccer treasurer stole $24,000
A former Governor Mifflin Soccer Club treasurer allegedly stole $24,630 from the organization, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.
Matthew Kranis, 45, Blandon, has been charged with theft by deception, receiving stolen property, unlawful use of computer, and secure execution of documents by deception.
On Nov. 29, 2018, the Cumru Township Police Department received a complaint alleging that the Governor Mifflin Soccer Club was the victim of embezzlement.
The Governor Mifflin Soccer Club had recently hired a certified public accountant for tax and audit purposes. The CPA firm discovered discrepancies along with a pattern of fraudulent use of the funds and account associated with the soccer club.
The suspect was identified as Matthew Kranis, who was the club treasurer for the club.
On Dec. 4, the matter was referred to the Berks County Detective’s Office for further investigation.
Through the course of this investigation, the Berks County Detective’s Office confirmed that Kranis was a board member of the Governor Mifflin Soccer Club since 2010. He became the Soccer Club Treasurer sometime around January 2014. He was removed
from the board and club in September 2018.
According to the Governor Mifflin Soccer Club bylaws, the club treasurer receives a yearly salary of $3,000. This amount covers two seasons, spring and fall. The audit discovered that yearly payments to Kranis exceeded $3,000.
During the investigation, the Berks County Detective’s Office obtained financial records associated with the Governor Mifflin Soccer Club as well as Kranis.
Based on the results of the financial audit of the Governor Mifflin Soccer Club’s bank accounts and the review of the financial records and bank account associated with Kranis, the Berks County Detective’s Office estimate the soccer club suffered a financial loss of at least $24,630.50.
On Jan. 16, the Berks County Detective’s Office filed criminal charges at District Judge Stuart Kennedy’s Office.
On Jan. 17, at about 9 a.m., Kranis surrendered to the Berks County Detective’s, accompanied by his attorney. Kranis was immediately escorted to the Berks County Sheriff’s Department’s Central Processing Center to be fingerprinted and photographed. At the time of this Press Release on Jan. 17, he was awaiting Preliminary Arraignment.