Cicero, N.Y. – A president and coach of a Central New York youth soccer club has been charged with stealing over $50,000 from the group, troopers said.
Paul R. Palucci, 36, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with second-degree grand larceny and first-degree falsifying business records after allegedly using his soccer club’s accounts for fraudulent charges, according to a news release from State Police.
Palucci is the president of CNY Premier Soccer Club Inc. based in Cicero, troopers said. He is also listed as a coach on the club’s website.
The club offers kids of all ages classes, according to their website. It also organizes recreational soccer teams for boys and girls of all skill levels.
The investigation into Palucci began in January 2023 after police were notified of missing money and paying members were told the group was bankrupt, troopers said.
Investigators discovered that Palucci had used the group’s accounts to make fraudulent charges totaling over $50,000, troopers said. He also changed the club’s bylaws for his own benefit, they said.
False entries were also made in the club’s business records, troopers said.
In 2021, Palucci was paid $8,200 as the club’s president, according to tax documents.
Palucci was arraigned in Syracuse and released without bail, troopers said.
Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.
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