Former leader of community club in New Kensington accused of stealing funds, documents
A former leader of a longtime community club in New Kensington is accused of stealing from the very organization he once helped run.
Police say the former president of the Spartaco Sporting Club, 82-year-old Glen Hofer, took thousands of dollars in cash, but also transferred the club's property deed into his name.
"Violated. I feel this whole situation is a nightmare. It's ridiculous," said Bruce Saellam, the manager of Spartaco Sporting Club.
According to the criminal complaint, Hofer broke into the Constitution Boulevard clubhouse in July with one intent: to steal.
Missing from the club's office are alcohol, tax records, and members' documents. Upon further investigation, roughly $4,000 in cash disappeared from a hiding spot known only to board members.
"One of the other officers called me and asked me if I knew where something was in the club, certain records. I said, 'They're on the desk where I left them,' and they weren't there. So I came over, and that's what we realized was missing," Saellam said.
Even more troubling, investigators uncovered that the deed to the club's property, worth more than $182,000, was transferred into Hofer's name in June, even though he was no longer a member.
Police say the attorney who carried out that transfer told them Hofer claimed he was the only member of the club, and had forged documents to prove it.
"In this day and age, I can't believe an individual could get away with this," Saellam said. "Showing up at a lawyer's office with a piece of paper and saying, 'I own this club, I want the deed, and I want to sell it.' And then it happened."
Saellam said Hofer was voted out as president a year ago. Hofer told officers he did this because the club owed him more than $173,000 for several investments like renovations.
Though Saellam told KDKA-TV that Hofer has been paid back most of the money over the years.
"I don't think he's whole yet, but his initial investment was nowhere near what he's asking."
Suspect appears in court
Hofer, who was formally charged Tuesday with theft, burglary, forgery, and tampering with public records, had his day in court on Thursday. His attorney, Phil DiLucente, stressed the severity of the charges. The judge let Hofer go on $10,000 unsecured bond.
"This is a situation that's very serious, five felonies, one misdemeanor," DiLucente said.
As Hofer walked out of the courthouse, he offered no comments, arraigned on charges that could result in up to 10 years in jail.
"We're trying to look to the future so that all parties can have a great resolution and not look at a he said, she said," DiLucente said.
As for DiLucente, he said he's reached out to the club's lawyer and believes the case can be remedied, for Hofer, a veteran, who's on disability and experienced Agent Orange.
"We're going to try to make this situation so that he can move on with his 82 years of life serving our country," DiLucente said.