JACKSON - The former president and treasurer of Holbrook Little League has been indicted on charges that he stole thousands from the team, which went to the Little League World Series two summers ago.

The indictment handed up this week against Anthony Del Vecchio, 64, and John Lehmann, 56, comes over a year after they was arrested and charged with second-degree theft and conspiracy to commit theft. The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has alleged that the duo converted $118,000 in league funds to their benefit between 2014 and 2018.

After the arrests, the prosecutor's office specifically alleged that Lehmann also misused a league debit card for over $500, the prosecutor’s office said at the time.

Richard Lomurro, an attorney representing Del Vecchio, said the prosecutor's office informed him of the indictment against his client Wednesday.

"The indictment is not a negative reflection of the willingness of all parties to try and resolve the case amicably," he said. "It is simply a product of procedure. We will continue to work with the state to reach the best resolution possible for all parties involved."

Lehmann's attorney, Michael Chazen, confirmed that his client was also named in the indictment.

"We have not yet been provided with any of the paperwork to support this indictment," Chazen said. "That being said, Mr. Lehmann is presumed to be innocent and until such time as the state can prove otherwise, he is an innocent man."

A spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office also did not return a call seeking comment.

LAST TIME: Holbrook Little League leaders working on plea deal, attorneys say

League parents expressed satisfaction that the case was progressing after months without an update from law enforcement.

“We’re just trying to get our feet back underneath us. (The Holbrook board is) doing their best to be a little more transparent with the process of what they’re doing,” said Nevin Mann, a Holbrook parent and Jackson resident. “This news kind of comes at a good time, with the new season imminent.

"People want some closure on it, and that’s not happening just yet — but at least we know the process is moving forward.”

The arrests came just six months after the league's miracle run to the Little League World Series and 24 hours after an Asbury Park Press investigation unveiled financial turmoil at the league. The report had been sparked by concerned parents who had been waiting months to receive fundraising money from donors that was to help families defray the costs of the team traveling to the Little League World Series.

The Press donated $2,000 to the campaign.

SEE FOR YOURSELF: Holbrook Little League in disarray after Little League World Series run

The league was also years behind on filing paperwork with both the Internal Revenue Service and state Consumer Affairs division and, in June, the IRS revoked Holbrook's nonprofit status.

Holbrook Little League board member John Braun said the league had brought in accountants and financial professionals to "straighten out" the league's finances.

"It's been a long road, and there's been a lot to get through," he said. "Unfortunately, we can't just snap our fingers and get it done. … While it's a shame that all this happened, we’re looking forward to the future at Holbrook, and just want to make sure everything is being done right for the children."

Theft and embezzlement in youth sports has run rampant over the last decade, especially at the Jersey Shore. Another Press investigation revealed that former officials of youth sports leagues have been charged with stealing over $1.4 million in Monmouth and Ocean counties alone, buoyed by lax regulations and little enforcement from state or federal authorities.

INVESTIGATION: Why is it so easy to steal from youth sports?

At the same time, youth sports has turned into big business in New Jersey, where parents spend an estimated $800 million for their kids to play sports. Nationwide, it's a $19 billion industry.

The Press investigation prompted legislation introduced by Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, R-Ocean, which would impose transparency requirements on youth sports leagues.

The Holbrook Little League arrests came 24 hours after an Asbury Park Press investigation. Please consider a digital subscription so we can continue producing investigative journalism in your communities.

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Mike Davis; @byMikeDavis: 732-643-4223; mdavis@gannettnj.com