Neptune softball coach avoids jail after stealing money from travel team
FREEHOLD – A Neptune man who coached a youth travel softball team was sentenced to five years probation after admitting to stealing money set aside for the team's tournament and traveling costs.
Michael Lane, 54, was also ordered by Superior Court Judge Mark Lemieux to pay $12,000 in restitution to 10 families, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a statement.
Lane pled guilty in April to theft by failure to make lawful disposition of property after county and Tinton Falls detectives investigated.
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Lane had coached the Monmouth Surf softball team since 2013. In July 2019, he told parents that he misused funds, and the money was no longer in the account, Santiago said. He promised to repay the money but said he would have to cancel the team's participation in an upcoming tournament because there weren't enough funds to attend, authorities said.
Parents called the Tinton Falls police when he failed to make good on the promise, Santiago said.
Authorities discovered that he spent the money on personal expenses for himself and family members, Santiago said.
Robert Honecker, Lane's attorney, said Lane apologized in court.
"He's obviously regretful of his actions and is making restitution," he said.
A 2018 Asbury Park Press investigation found that stealing from youth sports teams and leagues comes easy for insiders. Weak regulations and oversight enabled youth sports officials in Monmouth and Ocean counties to steal more than $1.4 million in 10 years, the Press found.
Ken Serrano covers crime, breaking news and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or at kserrano@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth Surf softball coach avoids jail after theft from team
