Athletic Club President Charged With Embezzlement

Police in North Reading, Massachusetts, say the president of an organization meant to help the town's public school sports teams has been charged with stealing over $10,000 from the club

Police in North Reading, Massachusetts, say the president of an organization meant to help the town's public school sports teams has been charged with stealing over $10,000 from the club.

Police allege John Norton, 68, solicited donations from residents and businesses on behalf of the Athletic Boosters Club and pocketed the proceeds.

The investigation began in May 2014 when Norton mailed a personal check to pay for a December 2013 high school basketball tournament.

Investigation revealed that Norton withdrew $10,700 from the club's accounts between December 2013 and June 2014, primarily performing cash withdrawals and writing checks to cash on the club's accounts.

According to police, the club never filed charity and financial paperwork with the Massachusetts Attorney General's office. In addition, Norton was the only officer with access to the group's bank accounts.

Norton was charged with larceny of property over $250 by embezzlement. Police also filed a complaint with the Attorney General's office about the club's lack of required legal filings. 

Norton was arraigned in Woburn District Court and held on $1,000 bail. He was ordered to stay away from the club if he is released.

Prosecutors say Norton collected money on behalf of a family with a sick son in 1999. According to prosecutors, that family never received the money.

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