Michael DiFlorio, 49, of Williamstown, N.J., was indicted yesterday by a state grand jury on a charge of third-degree theft by deception. It is alleged that between July 2014 and June 2016, DiFlorio stole a total of approximately $56,777 in league funds. As treasurer, DiFlorio was responsible for using the funds in the league’s bank account to pay vendors who provided goods and services to the league. Without authorization, DiFlorio allegedly applied for and received a debit card linked to that bank account. The card was not authorized because the league conducts all of its business using checks, not cash. During the period in question, DiFlorio allegedly used the debit card to make more than $10,000 in cash withdrawals and purchases, all for his personal purposes. In addition, Florio allegedly wrote more than $32,000 in checks for his personal benefit made out to himself or, in one instance, to a friend. On top of those alleged thefts, DiFlorio allegedly stole more than $14,000 in cash generated by the league’s 2015 championship game.
“Instead of being an honest steward and faithfully ensuring that every dollar entrusted to him was used for the benefit of local athletes, DiFlorio is alleged to have crookedly stolen league funds,” said Attorney General Porrino. “He betrayed the league’s young members and set the worst possible example for them.”
“White collar crime doesn’t just hurt the bottom line, it hurts people, whether they are individuals or organizations,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We’re going to make sure that DiFlorio pays for his alleged crime and pays back this football league.”
Deputy Attorney General Jonathan Gilmore presented the case to the state grand jury for the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau. The case was investigated by detectives from the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption Bureau.
The third-degree theft charge carries a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $15,000. The charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The indictment was handed up to Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson, who assigned the case to Gloucester County, where DiFlorio will be ordered to appear in court at a later date for arraignment.
Attorney General Porrino and Director Honig noted that the Division of Criminal Justice has established a toll-free Corruption Tipline 1-866-TIPS-4CJ for the public to confidentially report corruption, financial crime and other illegal activities. The public also can log on to the Division’s web page at www.njdcj.org to report suspected wrongdoing confidentially.
Defense Attorney: Michael Silvanio, Esq., Woodbury, N.J.
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