Holbrook Little League former president charged by Ocean County Prosecutor

UPDATE: Ocean County Prosecutor announces arrests of two Holbrook Little League officials

JACKSON - The former presidentof Holbrook Little League has been charged by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office after an investigation requested by the Little League's board of directors.

A source close to the investigation told the Press that Tony Del Vecchio, 63, had been charged, but declined to discuss details or specify the charges before an official announcement by the Prosecutor's Office.Del Vecchio is not in jail and has been released on a summons, the source said.

INVESTIGATION: Holbrook Little League finances in disarray after Little League World Series run

RELATED: Ocean County Prosecutor's Office asked to investigate Holbrook Little League

The charge comes 24 hours after an Asbury Park Press investigation into Holbrook’s finances revealed a series of financial miscues ran the League afoul of federal, state and municipal nonprofit laws, including:

Holbrook hasn’t filed nonprofit tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service in three years, calling its tax-exempt status – a critical fundraising lifeline for nonprofits – into question.

The last tax return filed in 2014 showed the League lost more than $6,000 after raising more than $264,000.

The state Division of Consumer Affairs lists the league as “non-compliant” with laws requiring annual financial statements.

Despite holding a mandatory annual raffle among families, Holbrook has never obtained a township-issued license to have a raffle.

Board members on Thursday said the Press' findings, particularly the failure to file tax returns or apply for a raffle license, were previously unknown to them. Watch a video from Thursday's board meeting in a video at the top of the page.

Del Vecchio and former Holbrook treasurer John Lehmann resigned from the board of direcors in January without explanation, months after the League's team of 12-year-old All-Stars went on a miracle run to the Little League World Series.

The remaining board took a look at the league's financial information and saw enough concern to contact the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

COLUMN: Holbrook exemplifies youth sports becoming big business

Board members on Friday morning were surprised by the news of charges, but largely declined to comment until more information about the case against Del Vecchio was revealed.

"I don't really know what the charges are and I don't know of any proof of anything, so I wouldn't feel comfortable commenting," board member John Braun said.

"I hope the best for him. Whatever it is, hopefully it all works out for him," Holbrook Little League board member Stewart Bennion said. "He’s a human being, hopefully for his family and whatever it is that it is. But really there’s no comment. I don’t know exactly what this is going to be."

EDITORIAL: Holbrook Little League strikes out on transparency

Nevin Mann, father of Little League World Series pitcher Tai, told the Press Friday that he felt "vindicated" by the charge, but said his only concern was for the "sanctity of the League, overall.

"And if this is the first step in restoring some of that, then that’s great,” Mann said.

This is a breaking news story. Check back with APP.com or refresh this page for more updates.

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