North Reading Booster Club President Charged With Embezzling $10,000

NORTH READING (CBS) – The president of the North Reading Athletic Boosters Club was arrested on Wednesday on allegations that he stole more than $10,000 from the organization.

North Reading police said that John Norton, 68, accepted donations from residents and businesses that the donors believed were intended to benefit local athletes. Instead, Norton allegedly kept the money.

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

"This is a case in which we allege that this well-known member of our community built himself up to be a trusted helper, until reality showed him to be little more than a fraud," Chief Michael P. Murphy said.

"We believe that this individual stole money that was donated from our citizens to help local sports teams and athletes. We believe that this alleged fraudulent act is isolated to this individual and in no way should reflect negatively on those organizations which raise funds for the right reasons."

The investigation into Norton began in May after he mailed police a personal check to pay for police detail officers who worked a high school basketball game in December 2013, according to North Reading police.

Police said the investigation showed that North Reading Athletic Boosters Club never filed the necessary charity and financial paperwork through the Attorney General's office.

Norton was the only person with access to the organization's bank account, police said.

According to police, Norton withdrew $10,700 from the club's accounts between December 2013 and June 2014. The majority of the withdrawals were done at ATMs and by checks made out to cash.

The North Reading resident was scheduled to be arraigned in Woburn District Court on Wednesday afternoon.

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