The Hillsborough High School athletic director stole more than $10,000 from ticket sales for sports events at the school over a four year span, authorities said.

Michael Fanizzi (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office)

Michael Fanizzi, 53, of Hillsborough, was arrested at his home Friday and charged with third-degree theft, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement Monday.

A three-month investigation showed Fanizzi kept $10,704 in cash from athletic event ticket sales, officials said.

Fanizzi received reimbursement checks from the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association from 2013 and 2017 and was supposed to deposit the money into the board of education account as reimbursement for high school athletic event services.

He instead deposited the NJSIAA checks into the athletic department's bank account in place of the cash ticket sales.

Hillsborough police received an anonymous tip and notified the prosecutor's office. The board of education then conducted an audit of the athletic department's bank account.

Fanizzi, who worked as the athletic director for 14 years, has been on administrative leave from the district since December, the Hillsborough Beacon reported. His annual salary is $133,024, according to state pension records.

Multiple attempts were made by NJ Advance Media Monday to contact the prosecutor's office about the charges, but messages were not returned and a news release was issued Monday night.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.